BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help phys...BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help physicians more accurately diagnose and treat diseases.Combining imaging methods to diagnose RAVF has rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old female patient presented with gross hematuria that had persisted for 10 days.The patient underwent ultrasound examinations of the kidneys and renal blood vessels,enhanced computed tomography,three-dimensional com-puted tomography angiography,and digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries.These revealed dilatation of the left renal vein and abnormal shunting between the left renal artery and vein.The patient was diagnosed with a left RAVF using combined multimodal imaging techniques.The patient was treated with left renal artery embolization immediately after renal arteriography.Hema-turia resolved following the left renal artery embolization without serious bleeding or other complications.The patient made a full recovery after one year of postoperative follow-up.CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging techniques complement each other when diagnosing RAVF,providing detailed diagnostic information that can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment.In addition,this case reminds the sonographer to pay more attention to the color doppler flow imaging and blood flow spectrum when examining the kidney,so as to avoid misdiagnosis of renal cystic lesions as renal cysts and missed diagnosis of RAVF.展开更多
Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience...Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience-dependent mechanisms.The pruning process involves multiple molecular signals and a series of regulatory activities governing the“eat me”and“don't eat me”states.Under physiological conditions,the interaction between glial cells and neurons results in the clearance of unnecessary synapses,maintaining normal neural circuit functionality via synaptic pruning.Alterations in genetic and environmental factors can lead to imbalanced synaptic pruning,thus promoting the occurrence and development of autism spectrum disorder,schizophrenia,Alzheimer's disease,and other neurological disorders.In this review,we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for synaptic pruning during neural development.We focus on how synaptic pruning can regulate neural circuits and its association with neurological disorders.Furthermore,we discuss the application of emerging optical and imaging technologies to observe synaptic structure and function,as well as their potential for clinical translation.Our aim was to enhance our understanding of synaptic pruning during neural development,including the molecular basis underlying the regulation of synaptic function and the dynamic changes in synaptic density,and to investigate the potential role of these mechanisms in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases,thus providing a theoretical foundation for the treatment of neurological disorders.展开更多
Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal d...Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges.Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tra ctography,diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography,fiber ball imagingbased tra ctography,electroencephalography,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,positron emission tomography,molecular imaging,and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks.In this review,we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy,and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical application ranges of each technique.A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies,new data analysis software,a combination of multiple techniques,and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.展开更多
Hypoparathyroidism is one of the main complications after total thyroidectomy,severely affecting patients’quality of life.How to effectively protect parathyroid function after surgery and reduce the incidence of hypo...Hypoparathyroidism is one of the main complications after total thyroidectomy,severely affecting patients’quality of life.How to effectively protect parathyroid function after surgery and reduce the incidence of hypoparathyroidism has always been a key research area in thyroid surgery.Therefore,precise localization of parathyroid glands during surgery,effective imaging,and accurate surgical resection have become hot topics of concern for thyroid surgeons.In response to this clinical phenomenon,this study compared several different imaging methods for parathyroid surgery,including nanocarbon,indocyanine green,near-infrared imaging techniques,and technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile combined with gamma probe imaging technology.The advantages and disadvantages of each method were analyzed,providing scientific recommendations for future parathyroid imaging.In recent years,some related basic and clinical research has also been conducted in thyroid surgery.This article reviewed relevant literature and provided an overview of the practical application progress of various imaging techniques in parathyroid surgery.展开更多
Imaging observations of solar X-ray bursts can reveal details of the energy release process and particle acceleration in flares.Most hard X-ray imagers make use of the modulation-based Fourier transform imaging method...Imaging observations of solar X-ray bursts can reveal details of the energy release process and particle acceleration in flares.Most hard X-ray imagers make use of the modulation-based Fourier transform imaging method,an indirect imaging technique that requires algorithms to reconstruct and optimize images.During the last decade,a variety of algorithms have been developed and improved.However,it is difficult to quantitatively evaluate the image quality of different solutions without a true,reference image of observation.How to choose the values of imaging parameters for these algorithms to get the best performance is also an open question.In this study,we present a detailed test of the characteristics of these algorithms,imaging dynamic range and a crucial parameter for the CLEAN method,clean beam width factor(CBWF).We first used SDO/AIA EUV images to compute DEM maps and calculate thermal X-ray maps.Then these realistic sources and several types of simulated sources are used as the ground truth in the imaging simulations for both RHESSI and ASO-S/HXI.The different solutions are evaluated quantitatively by a number of means.The overall results suggest that EM,PIXON,and CLEAN are exceptional methods for sidelobe elimination,producing images with clear source details.Although MEM_GE,MEM_NJIT,VIS_WV and VIS_CS possess fast imaging processes and generate good images,they too possess associated imperfections unique to each method.The two forward fit algorithms,VF and FF,perform differently,and VF appears to be more robust and useful.We also demonstrated the imaging capability of HXI and available HXI algorithms.Furthermore,the effect of CBWF on image quality was investigated,and the optimal settings for both RHESSI and HXI were proposed.展开更多
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative joint disease with significant clinical and societal impact.Traditional diagnostic methods,including subjective clinical assessments and imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRIs,a...Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative joint disease with significant clinical and societal impact.Traditional diagnostic methods,including subjective clinical assessments and imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRIs,are often limited in their ability to detect early-stage OA or capture subtle joint changes.These limitations result in delayed diagnoses and inconsistent outcomes.Additionally,the analysis of omics data is challenged by the complexity and high dimensionality of biological datasets,making it difficult to identify key molecular mechanisms and biomarkers.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)offer transformative potential to address these challenges.This review systematically explores the integration of AI into OA research,focusing on applications such as AI-driven early screening and risk prediction from electronic health records(EHR),automated grading and morphological analysis of imaging data,and biomarker discovery through multi-omics integration.By consolidating progress across clinical,imaging,and omics domains,this review provides a comprehensive perspective on how AI is reshaping OA research.The findings have the potential to drive innovations in personalized medicine and targeted interventions,addressing longstanding challenges in OA diagnosis and management.展开更多
The proliferative index of Ki-67 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)exhibits strong correlations with tumor progression and prognosis,holding significant clinical implications.Yang et al employed contrast-enhanc...The proliferative index of Ki-67 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)exhibits strong correlations with tumor progression and prognosis,holding significant clinical implications.Yang et al employed contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)to indirectly evaluate neovascularization in pancreatic cancer lesions.Specific CEUS parameters demonstrated significant diagnostic value in assessing Ki-67 expression.The falling slope 50%achieved an area under the curve of 0.838.Meanwhile,the rise slope 10%-90%exhibited superior overall diagnostic accuracy(area under the curve=0.863),showing a sensitivity of 0.92 and a moderate specificity of 0.759.These values demonstrate specificity in differentiating between low and high Ki-67 expression groups.This study effectively addresses the critical need for a non-invasive assessment of pancreatic cancer aggressiveness via Ki-67 expression.These findings strongly support the translational potential of CEUS biomarkers for non-invasive Ki-67 assessment and treatment stratification in PDAC.While Yang et al demonstrated exhibited encouraging methodologies,its retrospective design,modest sample size,and single-center nature may impede generalizability,pending validation in multi-institutional cohorts.We recommend expanding the sample size to enhance representativeness and adopting prospective studies integrating multimodal imaging techniques,such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography to improve diagnostic reliability.This study is the first to integrate insights from CEUS,magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography for Ki-67 expression assessment in PDAC.Building on this innovation,we focus this article on recent advances in the clinical diagnosis of pancreatic cancer,aiming to provide insights for advancing research in this field.展开更多
AIM:To elucidate the manifestations and associated complications observed in patients with intraocular silicone oil(SO)emulsification through multiple imaging modalities.METHODS:This single-center,observational,retros...AIM:To elucidate the manifestations and associated complications observed in patients with intraocular silicone oil(SO)emulsification through multiple imaging modalities.METHODS:This single-center,observational,retrospective study included 116 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)with SO injection for retinal detachment(RD),followed by subsequent SO removal at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to January 2023.Comprehensive records of ophthalmic examinations utilizing multiple imaging techniques were maintained.RESULTS:The study comprised 56 females and 60 males,with a mean age of 52.75±13.6y.The mean follow-up duration for SO tamponade was 9.04±11.33mo(range:1-84mo).Among the participants,59 patients were diagnosed with SO emulsification,while 57 patients were in the SO unemulsified group.Patients with SO emulsification had a significantly prolonged SO tamponade duration(P<0.01).Multiple imaging techniques revealed notable signs of SO emulsification and its complications,such as 4 cases(3.4%)with posterior corneal SO-like keratic precipitates(KP)observed by anterior segment photography,23 cases(19.8%)exhibiting spherical high-reflection signals in the inter-retina,retinal pigment epithelium,or choroid detected by Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT),4 cases(3.4%)showing slow movement of emulsified SO droplets within retinal vessels during fluorescein angiography(FFA),plain and enhanced head magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)images of these four patients did not detect emulsified SO in the lateral ventricles,suprasellar cistern,subarachnoid space,third ventricle,fourth ventricle,or other intracranial locations.CONCLUSION:Intraocular emulsified SO can lead to damage in both anterior and posterior segment tissues,encompassing corneal degeneration,cataracts,glaucoma,retinal and choroid inflammation.Objective multiple imaging techniques such as anterior segment photography,SD-OCT,FFA,and MRI offer comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of SO emulsification and its associated complications.展开更多
As a pathfinder of the SiTian project,the Mini-SiTian(MST)Array,employed three commercial CMOS cameras,represents a next-generation,cost-effective optical time-domain survey project.This paper focuses primarily on the...As a pathfinder of the SiTian project,the Mini-SiTian(MST)Array,employed three commercial CMOS cameras,represents a next-generation,cost-effective optical time-domain survey project.This paper focuses primarily on the precise data processing pipeline designed for wide-field,CMOS-based devices,including the removal of instrumental effects,astrometry,photometry,and flux calibration.When applying this pipeline to approximately3000 observations taken in the Field 02(f02)region by MST,the results demonstrate a remarkable astrometric precision of approximately 70–80 mas(about 0.1 pixel),an impressive calibration accuracy of approximately1 mmag in the MST zero points,and a photometric accuracy of about 4 mmag for bright stars.Our studies demonstrate that MST CMOS can achieve photometric accuracy comparable to that of CCDs,highlighting the feasibility of large-scale CMOS-based optical time-domain surveys and their potential applications for cost optimization in future large-scale time-domain surveys,like the SiTian project.展开更多
Image steganography is one of the prominent technologies in data hiding standards.Steganographic system performance mostly depends on the embedding strategy.Its goal is to embed strictly confidential information into ...Image steganography is one of the prominent technologies in data hiding standards.Steganographic system performance mostly depends on the embedding strategy.Its goal is to embed strictly confidential information into images without causing perceptible changes in the original image.The randomization strategies in data embedding techniques may utilize random domains,pixels,or region-of-interest for concealing secrets into a cover image,preventing information from being discovered by an attacker.The implementation of an appropriate embedding technique can achieve a fair balance between embedding capability and stego image imperceptibility,but it is challenging.A systematic approach is used with a standard methodology to carry out this study.This review concentrates on the critical examination of several embedding strategies,incorporating experimental results with state-of-the-art methods emphasizing the robustness,security,payload capacity,and visual quality metrics of the stego images.The fundamental ideas of steganography are presented in this work,along with a unique viewpoint that sets it apart from previous works by highlighting research gaps,important problems,and difficulties.Additionally,it offers a discussion of suggested directions for future study to advance and investigate uncharted territory in image steganography.展开更多
Episodes of tectonic activities since Archaean time in one of the oldest craton,the eastern Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia,have left a complex pattern in the architectural settings.Insights of the crustal scale a...Episodes of tectonic activities since Archaean time in one of the oldest craton,the eastern Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia,have left a complex pattern in the architectural settings.Insights of the crustal scale architectural settings of the Craton have been made through geophysical data modelling and imaging using high resolution aeromagnetic and Bouguer gravity data.The advanced technique of image processing using pseudocolour composition,hill-shading and the multiple data layers compilation in the hue,saturation and intensity(HSI)space has been used for image based analysis of potential field data.Geophysical methods of anomaly enhancement technique along with the imaging technique are used to delineate several regional and as well as local structures.Multiscale analysis in geophysical data processing with the application of varying upward continuation levels,and also anomaly enhancement techniques using spatial derivatives are used delineating major shear zones and regional scale structures.A suitable data based interpretation of basement architecture of the study area is given.展开更多
Benign gallbladder diseases usually present with intraluminal lesions and localized or diffuse wall thickening.Intraluminal lesions of the gallbladder include gallstones,cholesterol polyps,adenomas,or sludge and polyp...Benign gallbladder diseases usually present with intraluminal lesions and localized or diffuse wall thickening.Intraluminal lesions of the gallbladder include gallstones,cholesterol polyps,adenomas,or sludge and polypoid type of gallbladder cancer must subsequently be excluded.Polyp size,stalk width,and enhancement intensity on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and degree of diffusion restriction may help differentiate cholesterol polyps and adenomas from gallbladder cancer.Localized gallbladder wall thickening is largely due to segmental or focal gallbladder adenomyomatosis,although infiltrative cancer may present similarly.Identification of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses is pivotal in diagnosing adenomyomatosis.The layered pattern,degree of enhancement,and integrity of the wall are imaging clues that help discriminate innocuous thickening from gallbladder cancer.High-resolution ultrasound is especially useful for analyzing the layering of gallbladder wall.A diffusely thickened wall is frequently seen in inflammatory processes of the gallbladder.Nevertheless,it is important to check for coexistent cancer in instances of acute cholecystitis.Ultrasound used alone is limited in evaluating complicated cholecystitis and often requires complementary computed tomography.In chronic cholecystitis,preservation of a two-layered wall and weak wall enhancement are diagnostic clues for excluding malignancy.Magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with diffusion-weighted imaging helps to differentiate xathogranulomatous cholecystitis from gallbladder cancer by identifying the presence of fat and degree of diffusion restriction.Such distinctions require a familiarity with typical imaging features of various gallbladder diseases and an understanding of the roles that assorted imaging modalities play in gallbladder evaluations.展开更多
Sediment incipient velocity （SIV） is a vital parameter for sediment research and river dynamics. This paper describes a novel method of estimating SIV based on the known flow velocity in the movable-bed model experi...Sediment incipient velocity （SIV） is a vital parameter for sediment research and river dynamics. This paper describes a novel method of estimating SIV based on the known flow velocity in the movable-bed model experiment. In this method, we use B-mode ultrasound imaging technique to get video images of moving particles and topography under water. By statistical analysis of video images, the relationship between the average number of imaging particles and flow velocity is obtained. The relationship between the change rate of average number and flow velocity is analyzed in sediment incipient process. These relationships are used to estimate the SIV. Lastly, the changed topography verifies the estimated velocity. The results show there is a sudden change in these relationships which can be used to estimate the SIV with high resolution by using a B-mode ultrasound device. The estimated SIV of plastic sands （particle size is about 0.25 mm） is 3.64 cm · s^-1 and the estimated SIV of natural sands （particle size is about 0.25 mm） is 5.47 cm · s^-1in the same condition.展开更多
The investigation of small bowel morphology is often mandatory in many patients with Crohn's disease. Traditional radiological techniques (small bowel enteroclysis and small bowel follow-through) have long been th...The investigation of small bowel morphology is often mandatory in many patients with Crohn's disease. Traditional radiological techniques (small bowel enteroclysis and small bowel follow-through) have long been the only suitable methods for this purpose. In recent years, several alternative imaging techniques have been proposed. To review the most recent advances in imaging studies of the small bowel, with particular reference to their possible application in Crohn's disease, we conducted a complete review of the most important studies in which traditional and newer imaging methods were performed and compared in patients with Crohn's disease. Several radiological and endoscopic techniques are now available for the study of the small bowel; each of them is characterized by a distinct profile of favourable and unfavourable features. In some cases, they may also be used as complementary rather than alternative techniques. In everyday practice, the choice of the technique to be used stands upon its availability and a careful evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, clinical usefulness, safety and cost. The recent development ofinnovative imaging techniques has opened a new and exciting area in the exploration of the small bowel in Crohn's disease patients.展开更多
In the world,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for majority of diffuse hepatic diseases.Notably,substantial liver fat accumulation can trigger and accelerate hepatic fibrosis,thus contributing to disease...In the world,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for majority of diffuse hepatic diseases.Notably,substantial liver fat accumulation can trigger and accelerate hepatic fibrosis,thus contributing to disease progression.Moreover,the presence of NAFLD not only puts adverse influences for liver but is also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.Therefore,early detection and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content are of great importance.Liver biopsy is currently the most accurate method for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis.However,liver biopsy has several limitations,namely,its invasiveness,sampling error,high cost and moderate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility.Recently,various quantitative imaging techniques have been developed for the diagnosis and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content,including ultrasound-or magnetic resonancebased methods.These quantitative imaging techniques can provide objective continuous metrics associated with liver fat content and be recorded for comparison when patients receive check-ups to evaluate changes in liver fat content,which is useful for longitudinal follow-up.In this review,we introduce several imaging techniques and describe their diagnostic performance for the diagnosis and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content.展开更多
BACKGROUND For parturients with paroxysmal uterine contraction pain,rapid analgesia is needed.We used preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique in epidural analgesia for labor,and evaluated...BACKGROUND For parturients with paroxysmal uterine contraction pain,rapid analgesia is needed.We used preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique in epidural analgesia for labor,and evaluated the usefulness of this technique in epidural labor analgesia.AIM To evaluate the usefulness of preprocedure ultrasound imaging in epidural analgesia for labor.METHODS In this prospective randomized observational study,72 parturients were assigned to two groups(combined or palpation group).The target interspace of all parturients was first identified by the palpation technique.Then in the combined group,preprocedure ultrasound imaging was used before epidural puncture.In the palpation group,only the traditional anatomical landmarks technique(palpation technique)was performed.The primary outcome was total duration of the epidural procedure(for the ultrasound group,the duration of the preprocedure ultrasound imaging was included).The secondary outcomes were the number of skin punctures,the success rate at first needle pass,the number of needle passes,the depth from the skin to epidural space,and the complications of the procedure.RESULTS Total duration of the epidural procedure was similar between the two groups(406.5±92.15 s in the combined group and 380.03±128.2 s in the palpation group;P=0.318).A significant improvement was demonstrated for epidural puncture and catheterization in the combined group.The number of needle passes was 1.14 in the combined group and 1.72 in the palpation group(P=0.001).The number of skin puncture sites was 1.20 in the combined group and 1.25 in the palpation group(P=0.398).The success rate at first needle pass was 88.89%in the combined group and 66.67%in the palpation group(P=0.045).CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the total duration of epidural procedures with preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique was not longer than the traditional anatomical landmarks technique,which were performed by six experienced anesthesiologists in parturients with normal weights undergoing labor analgesia.展开更多
The electrophysiological methods using microelectrodes are not appropriate for the simultaneous measurement of neural activities of many neurons. To overcome the difficulty, the fluorescent imaging technique using vol...The electrophysiological methods using microelectrodes are not appropriate for the simultaneous measurement of neural activities of many neurons. To overcome the difficulty, the fluorescent imaging technique using voltage sensitive dyes can be a powerful technique. The voltage sensitive dyes, however, generally exhibit a relatively small change in their fluorescence intensities, resulting in a low S/N ratio. Additionally, they often exhibit photobleaching and phototoxity. We have therefore improved the fluorescent voltage imaging technique by using a LED as the light source and an electron multiplying (EM)-CCD camera as the fluorescence detector. In this study, we applied our imaging system for the measurement of two kind of molluscan neural activities;one of which is involved in the olfactory processing of the land slug Limax valentianus and the other is involved in the feeding rhythm of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The system enabled us to measure the neural activities for a long time with a high speed and a high S/N ratio, and the obtained results showed some new physiological findings.展开更多
Multiphasic multidetector computed tomography(CT)forms the mainstay for the characterization of renal masses whereas magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)acts as a problem-solving tool in some cases.However,a few of the ren...Multiphasic multidetector computed tomography(CT)forms the mainstay for the characterization of renal masses whereas magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)acts as a problem-solving tool in some cases.However,a few of the renal masses remain indeterminate even after evaluation by conventional imaging methods.To overcome the deficiency in current imaging techniques,advanced imaging methods have been devised and are being tested.This review will cover the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography,shear wave elastography,dual-energy CT,perfusion CT,MR perfusion,diffusion-weighted MRI,blood oxygen leveldependent MRI,MR spectroscopy,positron emission tomography(PET)/prostate-specific membrane antigen-PET in the characterization of renal masses.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help physicians more accurately diagnose and treat diseases.Combining imaging methods to diagnose RAVF has rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old female patient presented with gross hematuria that had persisted for 10 days.The patient underwent ultrasound examinations of the kidneys and renal blood vessels,enhanced computed tomography,three-dimensional com-puted tomography angiography,and digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries.These revealed dilatation of the left renal vein and abnormal shunting between the left renal artery and vein.The patient was diagnosed with a left RAVF using combined multimodal imaging techniques.The patient was treated with left renal artery embolization immediately after renal arteriography.Hema-turia resolved following the left renal artery embolization without serious bleeding or other complications.The patient made a full recovery after one year of postoperative follow-up.CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging techniques complement each other when diagnosing RAVF,providing detailed diagnostic information that can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment.In addition,this case reminds the sonographer to pay more attention to the color doppler flow imaging and blood flow spectrum when examining the kidney,so as to avoid misdiagnosis of renal cystic lesions as renal cysts and missed diagnosis of RAVF.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31760290,82160688the Key Development Areas Project of Ganzhou Science and Technology,No.2022B-SF9554(all to XL)。
文摘Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience-dependent mechanisms.The pruning process involves multiple molecular signals and a series of regulatory activities governing the“eat me”and“don't eat me”states.Under physiological conditions,the interaction between glial cells and neurons results in the clearance of unnecessary synapses,maintaining normal neural circuit functionality via synaptic pruning.Alterations in genetic and environmental factors can lead to imbalanced synaptic pruning,thus promoting the occurrence and development of autism spectrum disorder,schizophrenia,Alzheimer's disease,and other neurological disorders.In this review,we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for synaptic pruning during neural development.We focus on how synaptic pruning can regulate neural circuits and its association with neurological disorders.Furthermore,we discuss the application of emerging optical and imaging technologies to observe synaptic structure and function,as well as their potential for clinical translation.Our aim was to enhance our understanding of synaptic pruning during neural development,including the molecular basis underlying the regulation of synaptic function and the dynamic changes in synaptic density,and to investigate the potential role of these mechanisms in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases,thus providing a theoretical foundation for the treatment of neurological disorders.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province of China,Nos.2022NSFSC1545 (to YG),2022NSFSC1387 (to ZF)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing of China,Nos.CSTB2022NSCQ-LZX0038,cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0035 (both to XT)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82001378 (to XT)the Joint Project of Chongqing Health Commission and Science and Technology Bureau,No.2023QNXM009 (to XT)the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China,No.KJQN202200435 (to XT)the Chongqing Talents:Exceptional Young Talents Project,No.CQYC202005014 (to XT)。
文摘Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges.Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tra ctography,diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography,fiber ball imagingbased tra ctography,electroencephalography,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,positron emission tomography,molecular imaging,and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks.In this review,we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy,and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical application ranges of each technique.A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies,new data analysis software,a combination of multiple techniques,and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.
基金Supported by The 2024 Hospital Research Funding,No.KYQ2024008.
文摘Hypoparathyroidism is one of the main complications after total thyroidectomy,severely affecting patients’quality of life.How to effectively protect parathyroid function after surgery and reduce the incidence of hypoparathyroidism has always been a key research area in thyroid surgery.Therefore,precise localization of parathyroid glands during surgery,effective imaging,and accurate surgical resection have become hot topics of concern for thyroid surgeons.In response to this clinical phenomenon,this study compared several different imaging methods for parathyroid surgery,including nanocarbon,indocyanine green,near-infrared imaging techniques,and technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile combined with gamma probe imaging technology.The advantages and disadvantages of each method were analyzed,providing scientific recommendations for future parathyroid imaging.In recent years,some related basic and clinical research has also been conducted in thyroid surgery.This article reviewed relevant literature and provided an overview of the practical application progress of various imaging techniques in parathyroid surgery.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China 2022YFF0503002the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Grant Nos.12333010 and 12233012)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(grant No.XDB0560000)supported by the Prominent Postdoctoral Project of Jiangsu Province(2023ZB304)supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program on Space Science,the Chinese Academy of Sciences,grant No.XDA15320000.
文摘Imaging observations of solar X-ray bursts can reveal details of the energy release process and particle acceleration in flares.Most hard X-ray imagers make use of the modulation-based Fourier transform imaging method,an indirect imaging technique that requires algorithms to reconstruct and optimize images.During the last decade,a variety of algorithms have been developed and improved.However,it is difficult to quantitatively evaluate the image quality of different solutions without a true,reference image of observation.How to choose the values of imaging parameters for these algorithms to get the best performance is also an open question.In this study,we present a detailed test of the characteristics of these algorithms,imaging dynamic range and a crucial parameter for the CLEAN method,clean beam width factor(CBWF).We first used SDO/AIA EUV images to compute DEM maps and calculate thermal X-ray maps.Then these realistic sources and several types of simulated sources are used as the ground truth in the imaging simulations for both RHESSI and ASO-S/HXI.The different solutions are evaluated quantitatively by a number of means.The overall results suggest that EM,PIXON,and CLEAN are exceptional methods for sidelobe elimination,producing images with clear source details.Although MEM_GE,MEM_NJIT,VIS_WV and VIS_CS possess fast imaging processes and generate good images,they too possess associated imperfections unique to each method.The two forward fit algorithms,VF and FF,perform differently,and VF appears to be more robust and useful.We also demonstrated the imaging capability of HXI and available HXI algorithms.Furthermore,the effect of CBWF on image quality was investigated,and the optimal settings for both RHESSI and HXI were proposed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82302757)Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(JCY20240813145204006,SGDX20201103095600002,JCYJ20220818103417037,KJZD20230923115200002)+1 种基金Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Digital Surgical Printing Project(ZDSYS201707311542415)Shenzhen Development and Reform Program(XMHT20220106001).
文摘Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative joint disease with significant clinical and societal impact.Traditional diagnostic methods,including subjective clinical assessments and imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRIs,are often limited in their ability to detect early-stage OA or capture subtle joint changes.These limitations result in delayed diagnoses and inconsistent outcomes.Additionally,the analysis of omics data is challenged by the complexity and high dimensionality of biological datasets,making it difficult to identify key molecular mechanisms and biomarkers.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)offer transformative potential to address these challenges.This review systematically explores the integration of AI into OA research,focusing on applications such as AI-driven early screening and risk prediction from electronic health records(EHR),automated grading and morphological analysis of imaging data,and biomarker discovery through multi-omics integration.By consolidating progress across clinical,imaging,and omics domains,this review provides a comprehensive perspective on how AI is reshaping OA research.The findings have the potential to drive innovations in personalized medicine and targeted interventions,addressing longstanding challenges in OA diagnosis and management.
基金Supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2023YFC2507900the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.32270768,No.82273970,and No.82370715+2 种基金the Innovation Group Project of Hubei Province,No.2023AFA026the Key Cultivation Project of Hubei Province for Science and Technology,No.2024DJA037the National Natural Science Foundation of Hubei,No.2025AFA085.
文摘The proliferative index of Ki-67 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)exhibits strong correlations with tumor progression and prognosis,holding significant clinical implications.Yang et al employed contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)to indirectly evaluate neovascularization in pancreatic cancer lesions.Specific CEUS parameters demonstrated significant diagnostic value in assessing Ki-67 expression.The falling slope 50%achieved an area under the curve of 0.838.Meanwhile,the rise slope 10%-90%exhibited superior overall diagnostic accuracy(area under the curve=0.863),showing a sensitivity of 0.92 and a moderate specificity of 0.759.These values demonstrate specificity in differentiating between low and high Ki-67 expression groups.This study effectively addresses the critical need for a non-invasive assessment of pancreatic cancer aggressiveness via Ki-67 expression.These findings strongly support the translational potential of CEUS biomarkers for non-invasive Ki-67 assessment and treatment stratification in PDAC.While Yang et al demonstrated exhibited encouraging methodologies,its retrospective design,modest sample size,and single-center nature may impede generalizability,pending validation in multi-institutional cohorts.We recommend expanding the sample size to enhance representativeness and adopting prospective studies integrating multimodal imaging techniques,such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography to improve diagnostic reliability.This study is the first to integrate insights from CEUS,magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography for Ki-67 expression assessment in PDAC.Building on this innovation,we focus this article on recent advances in the clinical diagnosis of pancreatic cancer,aiming to provide insights for advancing research in this field.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(No.H2023206907).
文摘AIM:To elucidate the manifestations and associated complications observed in patients with intraocular silicone oil(SO)emulsification through multiple imaging modalities.METHODS:This single-center,observational,retrospective study included 116 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)with SO injection for retinal detachment(RD),followed by subsequent SO removal at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to January 2023.Comprehensive records of ophthalmic examinations utilizing multiple imaging techniques were maintained.RESULTS:The study comprised 56 females and 60 males,with a mean age of 52.75±13.6y.The mean follow-up duration for SO tamponade was 9.04±11.33mo(range:1-84mo).Among the participants,59 patients were diagnosed with SO emulsification,while 57 patients were in the SO unemulsified group.Patients with SO emulsification had a significantly prolonged SO tamponade duration(P<0.01).Multiple imaging techniques revealed notable signs of SO emulsification and its complications,such as 4 cases(3.4%)with posterior corneal SO-like keratic precipitates(KP)observed by anterior segment photography,23 cases(19.8%)exhibiting spherical high-reflection signals in the inter-retina,retinal pigment epithelium,or choroid detected by Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT),4 cases(3.4%)showing slow movement of emulsified SO droplets within retinal vessels during fluorescein angiography(FFA),plain and enhanced head magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)images of these four patients did not detect emulsified SO in the lateral ventricles,suprasellar cistern,subarachnoid space,third ventricle,fourth ventricle,or other intracranial locations.CONCLUSION:Intraocular emulsified SO can lead to damage in both anterior and posterior segment tissues,encompassing corneal degeneration,cataracts,glaucoma,retinal and choroid inflammation.Objective multiple imaging techniques such as anterior segment photography,SD-OCT,FFA,and MRI offer comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of SO emulsification and its associated complications.
基金supported by the National Key Basic R&D Program of China via 2023YFA1608303the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB0550103)+3 种基金the National Science Foundation of China 12422303,12403024,12222301,12173007,and 12261141690the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF under grant Number GZB20240731the Young Data Scientist Project of the National Astronomical Data Center,and the China Post-doctoral Science Foundation No.2023M743447support from the NSFC through grant No.12303039 and No.12261141690.
文摘As a pathfinder of the SiTian project,the Mini-SiTian(MST)Array,employed three commercial CMOS cameras,represents a next-generation,cost-effective optical time-domain survey project.This paper focuses primarily on the precise data processing pipeline designed for wide-field,CMOS-based devices,including the removal of instrumental effects,astrometry,photometry,and flux calibration.When applying this pipeline to approximately3000 observations taken in the Field 02(f02)region by MST,the results demonstrate a remarkable astrometric precision of approximately 70–80 mas(about 0.1 pixel),an impressive calibration accuracy of approximately1 mmag in the MST zero points,and a photometric accuracy of about 4 mmag for bright stars.Our studies demonstrate that MST CMOS can achieve photometric accuracy comparable to that of CCDs,highlighting the feasibility of large-scale CMOS-based optical time-domain surveys and their potential applications for cost optimization in future large-scale time-domain surveys,like the SiTian project.
基金This research was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education(MOHE)through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS)under the Grand Number FRGS/1/2020/ICT01/UK M/02/4,and University Kebangsaan Malaysia for open access publication.
文摘Image steganography is one of the prominent technologies in data hiding standards.Steganographic system performance mostly depends on the embedding strategy.Its goal is to embed strictly confidential information into images without causing perceptible changes in the original image.The randomization strategies in data embedding techniques may utilize random domains,pixels,or region-of-interest for concealing secrets into a cover image,preventing information from being discovered by an attacker.The implementation of an appropriate embedding technique can achieve a fair balance between embedding capability and stego image imperceptibility,but it is challenging.A systematic approach is used with a standard methodology to carry out this study.This review concentrates on the critical examination of several embedding strategies,incorporating experimental results with state-of-the-art methods emphasizing the robustness,security,payload capacity,and visual quality metrics of the stego images.The fundamental ideas of steganography are presented in this work,along with a unique viewpoint that sets it apart from previous works by highlighting research gaps,important problems,and difficulties.Additionally,it offers a discussion of suggested directions for future study to advance and investigate uncharted territory in image steganography.
基金supported by Spaceage Geoconsulting,a research oriented consulting firm.
文摘Episodes of tectonic activities since Archaean time in one of the oldest craton,the eastern Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia,have left a complex pattern in the architectural settings.Insights of the crustal scale architectural settings of the Craton have been made through geophysical data modelling and imaging using high resolution aeromagnetic and Bouguer gravity data.The advanced technique of image processing using pseudocolour composition,hill-shading and the multiple data layers compilation in the hue,saturation and intensity(HSI)space has been used for image based analysis of potential field data.Geophysical methods of anomaly enhancement technique along with the imaging technique are used to delineate several regional and as well as local structures.Multiscale analysis in geophysical data processing with the application of varying upward continuation levels,and also anomaly enhancement techniques using spatial derivatives are used delineating major shear zones and regional scale structures.A suitable data based interpretation of basement architecture of the study area is given.
文摘Benign gallbladder diseases usually present with intraluminal lesions and localized or diffuse wall thickening.Intraluminal lesions of the gallbladder include gallstones,cholesterol polyps,adenomas,or sludge and polypoid type of gallbladder cancer must subsequently be excluded.Polyp size,stalk width,and enhancement intensity on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and degree of diffusion restriction may help differentiate cholesterol polyps and adenomas from gallbladder cancer.Localized gallbladder wall thickening is largely due to segmental or focal gallbladder adenomyomatosis,although infiltrative cancer may present similarly.Identification of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses is pivotal in diagnosing adenomyomatosis.The layered pattern,degree of enhancement,and integrity of the wall are imaging clues that help discriminate innocuous thickening from gallbladder cancer.High-resolution ultrasound is especially useful for analyzing the layering of gallbladder wall.A diffusely thickened wall is frequently seen in inflammatory processes of the gallbladder.Nevertheless,it is important to check for coexistent cancer in instances of acute cholecystitis.Ultrasound used alone is limited in evaluating complicated cholecystitis and often requires complementary computed tomography.In chronic cholecystitis,preservation of a two-layered wall and weak wall enhancement are diagnostic clues for excluding malignancy.Magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with diffusion-weighted imaging helps to differentiate xathogranulomatous cholecystitis from gallbladder cancer by identifying the presence of fat and degree of diffusion restriction.Such distinctions require a familiarity with typical imaging features of various gallbladder diseases and an understanding of the roles that assorted imaging modalities play in gallbladder evaluations.
基金Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2014212020205)
文摘Sediment incipient velocity （SIV） is a vital parameter for sediment research and river dynamics. This paper describes a novel method of estimating SIV based on the known flow velocity in the movable-bed model experiment. In this method, we use B-mode ultrasound imaging technique to get video images of moving particles and topography under water. By statistical analysis of video images, the relationship between the average number of imaging particles and flow velocity is obtained. The relationship between the change rate of average number and flow velocity is analyzed in sediment incipient process. These relationships are used to estimate the SIV. Lastly, the changed topography verifies the estimated velocity. The results show there is a sudden change in these relationships which can be used to estimate the SIV with high resolution by using a B-mode ultrasound device. The estimated SIV of plastic sands （particle size is about 0.25 mm） is 3.64 cm · s^-1 and the estimated SIV of natural sands （particle size is about 0.25 mm） is 5.47 cm · s^-1in the same condition.
文摘The investigation of small bowel morphology is often mandatory in many patients with Crohn's disease. Traditional radiological techniques (small bowel enteroclysis and small bowel follow-through) have long been the only suitable methods for this purpose. In recent years, several alternative imaging techniques have been proposed. To review the most recent advances in imaging studies of the small bowel, with particular reference to their possible application in Crohn's disease, we conducted a complete review of the most important studies in which traditional and newer imaging methods were performed and compared in patients with Crohn's disease. Several radiological and endoscopic techniques are now available for the study of the small bowel; each of them is characterized by a distinct profile of favourable and unfavourable features. In some cases, they may also be used as complementary rather than alternative techniques. In everyday practice, the choice of the technique to be used stands upon its availability and a careful evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, clinical usefulness, safety and cost. The recent development ofinnovative imaging techniques has opened a new and exciting area in the exploration of the small bowel in Crohn's disease patients.
文摘In the world,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for majority of diffuse hepatic diseases.Notably,substantial liver fat accumulation can trigger and accelerate hepatic fibrosis,thus contributing to disease progression.Moreover,the presence of NAFLD not only puts adverse influences for liver but is also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.Therefore,early detection and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content are of great importance.Liver biopsy is currently the most accurate method for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis.However,liver biopsy has several limitations,namely,its invasiveness,sampling error,high cost and moderate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility.Recently,various quantitative imaging techniques have been developed for the diagnosis and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content,including ultrasound-or magnetic resonancebased methods.These quantitative imaging techniques can provide objective continuous metrics associated with liver fat content and be recorded for comparison when patients receive check-ups to evaluate changes in liver fat content,which is useful for longitudinal follow-up.In this review,we introduce several imaging techniques and describe their diagnostic performance for the diagnosis and quantified measurement of hepatic fat content.
文摘BACKGROUND For parturients with paroxysmal uterine contraction pain,rapid analgesia is needed.We used preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique in epidural analgesia for labor,and evaluated the usefulness of this technique in epidural labor analgesia.AIM To evaluate the usefulness of preprocedure ultrasound imaging in epidural analgesia for labor.METHODS In this prospective randomized observational study,72 parturients were assigned to two groups(combined or palpation group).The target interspace of all parturients was first identified by the palpation technique.Then in the combined group,preprocedure ultrasound imaging was used before epidural puncture.In the palpation group,only the traditional anatomical landmarks technique(palpation technique)was performed.The primary outcome was total duration of the epidural procedure(for the ultrasound group,the duration of the preprocedure ultrasound imaging was included).The secondary outcomes were the number of skin punctures,the success rate at first needle pass,the number of needle passes,the depth from the skin to epidural space,and the complications of the procedure.RESULTS Total duration of the epidural procedure was similar between the two groups(406.5±92.15 s in the combined group and 380.03±128.2 s in the palpation group;P=0.318).A significant improvement was demonstrated for epidural puncture and catheterization in the combined group.The number of needle passes was 1.14 in the combined group and 1.72 in the palpation group(P=0.001).The number of skin puncture sites was 1.20 in the combined group and 1.25 in the palpation group(P=0.398).The success rate at first needle pass was 88.89%in the combined group and 66.67%in the palpation group(P=0.045).CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the total duration of epidural procedures with preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique was not longer than the traditional anatomical landmarks technique,which were performed by six experienced anesthesiologists in parturients with normal weights undergoing labor analgesia.
文摘The electrophysiological methods using microelectrodes are not appropriate for the simultaneous measurement of neural activities of many neurons. To overcome the difficulty, the fluorescent imaging technique using voltage sensitive dyes can be a powerful technique. The voltage sensitive dyes, however, generally exhibit a relatively small change in their fluorescence intensities, resulting in a low S/N ratio. Additionally, they often exhibit photobleaching and phototoxity. We have therefore improved the fluorescent voltage imaging technique by using a LED as the light source and an electron multiplying (EM)-CCD camera as the fluorescence detector. In this study, we applied our imaging system for the measurement of two kind of molluscan neural activities;one of which is involved in the olfactory processing of the land slug Limax valentianus and the other is involved in the feeding rhythm of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The system enabled us to measure the neural activities for a long time with a high speed and a high S/N ratio, and the obtained results showed some new physiological findings.
文摘Multiphasic multidetector computed tomography(CT)forms the mainstay for the characterization of renal masses whereas magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)acts as a problem-solving tool in some cases.However,a few of the renal masses remain indeterminate even after evaluation by conventional imaging methods.To overcome the deficiency in current imaging techniques,advanced imaging methods have been devised and are being tested.This review will cover the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography,shear wave elastography,dual-energy CT,perfusion CT,MR perfusion,diffusion-weighted MRI,blood oxygen leveldependent MRI,MR spectroscopy,positron emission tomography(PET)/prostate-specific membrane antigen-PET in the characterization of renal masses.
