Ultrasound

SCOPE: Butyric acid (C4) and lauric acid (C12) are recognized as functional fatty acids, while the health benefits of the structural lipids they constitute remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, lauric acid-butyric structural lipid (SLBL ) is synthesized through ultrasound-assisted enzyme-catalyzed acidolysis and its health benefits are evaluated in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. SLBL and its physical mixture (MLBL ) do not significantly inhibit obesity in mice...

A noncontact tactile stimulus can be presented by focusing airborne ultrasound on the human skin. Focused ultrasound has recently been reported to produce not only vibration but also static pressure sensation on the palm by modulating the sound pressure distribution at a low frequency. This finding expands the potential for tactile rendering in ultrasound haptics as static pressure sensation is perceived with a high spatial resolution. In this study, we verified that focused ultrasound can render a static pressure sensation associated with contact with a small convex surface on a finger pad...

The incidence and mortality rate of pancreatic cancer are increasing worldwide. Regional lymph nodes, liver, lung, and peritoneum are common sites of metastasis from pancreatic cancer, but the gastrointestinal tract is rare as a metastatic organ from pancreatic cancer. An 80-year-old man was referred to our department for a hypovascular pancreatic mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration revealed adenocarcinoma, and he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer...

BACKGROUND: Esophageal perforation and fistula formation are rare but serious complications following atrial fibrillation ablation. In this review article, we outline the incidence, pathophysiology, predictors, and preventative strategies of this dreaded complication. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search in 10 databases/electronic search engines to access relevant publications. All articles reporting complications following atrial fibrillation ablation, including esophageal injury and fistula formation, were included for systematic review...

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is a common side effect of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors that negatively affects quality of life. There is no known effective standard treatment for xerostomia. Here, we present the study protocol used to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) derived from umbilical cord tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten oropharyngeal cancer patients with post-radiation xerostomia and no evidence of disease recurrence 2 or more years after (chemo)irradiation (intervention group) and 10 healthy volunteers (control group) will be enrolled in this nonrandomized, open-label, phase I exploratory study...

BACKGROUND: Computer-aided diagnosis ( i.e. , texture analyses) tools are becoming increasingly beneficial methods to monitor subtle tissue changes. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate short-term effect of platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment in supraspinatus and common extensor of the forearm tendinosis by using texture analysis of ultrasound (US) images as well as by clinical questionnaires. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (7 male and 6 female, age 36-60 years, mean age 51...

Conventional inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles have emerged as photothermal agents in photothermal therapy and as sonosensitizers in sonodynamic therapy. However, their weak drug-loading capabilities and the deficient techniques for multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles limit their applications. A bismuth-based gold-crowned nanocomposite (BACN) was rationally designed and successfully synthesized and could then be used to prepare nanoplatforms with excellent biocompatibilities for synergistic therapy and real-time imaging...

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-based diaphragmatic assessments are becoming more common in pediatric acute care, but baseline pediatric diaphragm thickness and contractility values remain unknown. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study of healthy children aged <18 years undergoing elective surgery. Diaphragm thickness at end-expiration (Tdi-exp), thickening fraction (DTF) and excursion were measured by ultrasound during spontaneous breathing and during mechanical ventilation...

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease. It affects multiple organ systems, including the liver, leading to CF-related liver disease (CFLD). It was noted that CFLD in Egyptian children with CF is more common than in non-Egyptian people with CF (pwCF). This study aimed to determine the incidence of CFLD and the potential risk factors for developing CFLD in Egyptian children. The correlation between CFLD and the various genotypes prevalent in Egyptian CF children will be discussed...

The 15th Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (MFPRM) Congress, held in Rome from 6 to 8 July 2023, brought together over 600 PRM specialists and residents from 51 countries and 5 continents to share knowledge, perspectives, and research findings. The Congress focused on the theme "Beyond COVID," highlighting the resilience and adaptability of PRM in the face of the pandemic. Presentations showcased the latest advancements in PRM across various subspecialties, including orthopedics and sports re-education, neurological disorders, pharmacotherapy and pain, pediatrics disorders, musculoskeletal disease, ergonomics and robotics, spasticity management, ICF and evaluation scales, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal ultrasounds, rehabilitation of patients with cancers disease, post COVID-19 re-education, cardio-respiratory and urogynecological disorders, and traumatic brain injury...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

AIM: Prediction of labor progression is important for maternal and fetal health, as improved accuracy can lead to more timely intervention and improved outcomes. This review aims to outline the importance of predicting the progression of spontaneous parturition, detail the various methods employed to enhance this prediction and provide recommendations for future research. METHODS: We searched articles relating to labor progression and systematic review articles on Artificial Inteligence (AI) in childbirth management using PubMed...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Passive sensor-transponders have raised interest for the last few decades, due to their capability of low-cost remote monitoring without the need for energy storage. Their operating principle includes receiving a signal from a source and then reflecting the signal. While well-established transponders operate through electromagnetic antennas, those with a fully acoustic design have advantages such as lower cost and simplicity. Therefore, detection of pressures using the ultrasound signal that is backscattered from an acoustic resonator has been of interest recently...

Theranostic materials research is experiencing rapid growth driven by the interest in integrating both therapeutic and diagnostic modalities. These materials offer the unique capability to not only provide treatment but also track the progression of a disease. However, to create an ideal theranostic biomaterial without compromising drug encapsulation, diagnostic imaging must be optimized for improved sensitivity and spatial localization. Herein, we create a protein-engineered fluorinated coiled-coil fiber, Q2TFL , capable of improved sensitivity to 19 F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) detection...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

PURPOSE: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) accurately locates peripheral lung lesions (PLLs) during transbronchial biopsy (TBB). We performed an updated meta-analysis of the diagnostic yield of TBB for PLLs using RP-EBUS to generate recommendations for the development of the Korean Association of Lung Cancer guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE (from Jan 2013 to Dec 2022), and performed a meta-analysis using R software...

BACKGROUND: An updated overview of ultrasound (US) for diagnosis of acute cholecystitis (AC) remains lacking. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of US for AC. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. We meticulously screened articles from MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, spanning from inception to August 2023. We employed the search strategy combining the keywords "bedside US", "emergency US" or "point-of-care US" with "AC"...

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between placental anastomosis and superficial vascular branches in selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) in monochorionic diamniotic twins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the pregnancy data and placental perfusion of 395 patients with monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies delivered at our hospital from April 2013 to April 2020. We divided the patients into two groups and compared the number of placental superficial vascular branches in sFGR twins and normal MCDA twins...