Search Results (1,371)

Ultrasound (US) imaging is widely used to guide minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), while electromagnetic (EM) tracking can complement US guidance by providing line-of-sight-independent instrument localization. However, US probes may distort the EM tracking field in a probe-dependent manner. This study characterized probe-induced EM interference for a conventional 3D/4D phased-array probe and a handheld wireless probe. Three experiments were conducted using an EM tracking system: spatial mapping of interference along each probe body, assessment of probe–sensor separation for the handheld probe, and evaluation of probe-induced tracking deviations in a simulated EM-guided PCNL setup with tracked needle and catheter sensors. EM-US calibration was then performed using low-interference sensor positions. The phased-array probe produced minimal disturbance, maintaining submillimetric positional and subdegree orientational precision across tested modes. Compared with the evaluated phased-array probe, the evaluated handheld wireless probe generated stronger, spatially localized interference, requiring ≥75 mm positional and ≥50 mm orientational separation to recover baseline precision. In the PCNL simulation, the phased-array probe maintained tracking stability, whereas the handheld probe introduced localized deviations. Both probes produced RMS calibration residuals below 1 mm under controlled conditions. These results provide device-specific baseline measurements and a workflow for probe-dependent interference assessment and sensor-placement optimization in EM-US navigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Furan derivatives are commonly encountered in food and environmental matrices and may exert biological effects, but their acute cardiovascular actions and potential mitochondrial targets remain insufficiently characterised. This study examined the effects of two simple furan compounds, 2-acetylfuran (2AF) and 5-methylfurfural (5MFF), on arterial blood pressure in vivo and on oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Methods: Arterial blood pressure was recorded invasively in anaesthetised rats after intraperitoneal administration of 2AF or 5MFF (0.3 µL/g). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, as well as heart rate, were monitored over time. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed in isolated rat liver mitochondria using high-resolution respirometry. Results: Both 2AF and 5MFF induced a rapid hypotensive response, with significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures within 10–15 min after administration. MAP was reduced to a similar extent by both compounds. However, their chronotropic and pulse pressure responses differed: 5MFF increased heart rate and pulse pressure, whereas 2AF induced a delayed bradycardic response without a significant change in pulse pressure. In isolated liver mitochondria, both compounds markedly reduced ADP-stimulated respiration and decreased the respiratory control index, indicating reduced coupling efficiency. Both compounds also increased the cytochrome c effect, suggesting partial impairment of outer mitochondrial membrane integrity. Conclusions: 2AF and 5MFF exert acute hypotensive effects in anaesthetised rats and impair oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that 2AF and 5MFF exert hypotensive effects and identifies them as bioactive furan compounds with dual haemodynamic and bioenergetic actions. Full article

Since its inception in 2017, temporal interference stimulation (TIS) has attracted increasing attention as a novel neuromodulation approach with the potential to non-invasively target deep brain structures. As the field moves from initial biophysical validation toward broader experimental and translational applications, a macroscopic understanding of its developmental trajectory and thematic evolution is needed. In this study, we systematically mapped the scientific landscape of TIS research using bibliometric methods to characterize its knowledge structure, core themes, and emerging frontiers. The analysis shows that TIS research has expanded rapidly from foundational animal studies and biophysical mechanism validation toward computational head modeling, individualized electric field optimization, and early human applications. Current research is increasingly focused on cross-species scaling, stimulation dosimetry, comparative advantages over other neuromodulation techniques, precise targeting strategies, and potential physiological risks such as high-frequency conduction block. Overall, TIS is evolving from an exploratory biophysical concept into a promising but technically and physiologically complex neuromodulation tool. Overcoming current engineering and translational barriers, particularly through individualized modeling, rigorous optimization, and well-designed human studies, will be essential for establishing TIS as a reliable therapeutic intervention. Full article

Background: Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive cribriform (Cr) histologic patterns are important adverse morphologies in prostate cancer (PCa) and may influence pretreatment risk stratification. This study evaluated the feasibility of time-dependent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (t_d-dMRI)-based microstructural mapping for preoperative characterization of these aggressive morphologies. Methods: This retrospective study included 95 men with pathologically confirmed PCa on radical prostatectomy specimens from March 2023 to March 2025. T_d-dMRI was performed using pulsed and oscillating gradient diffusion sequences. Microstructural parameters, including extracellular diffusivity (D_ex), cell diameter (d), intracellular volume fraction (f_in), cellularity, and diffusivities at 0, 17, and 33 Hz (ADC_0Hz, ADC_17Hz, and ADC_33Hz), were estimated using a two-compartment model. Conventional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_DWI) values were obtained from standard diffusion-weighted imaging. Parameters were compared between tumors with and without Cr/IDC patterns, and diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Pairwise comparisons of AUCs were performed using the DeLong test. Results: Among 95 participants, 62 (65.3%) had Cr/IDC patterns. Compared with Cr/IDC-negative tumors, Cr/IDC-positive tumors showed higher f_in and cellularity (both p < 0.001) and lower ADC_DWI, ADC_0Hz, ADC_17Hz, and ADC_33Hz values (all p < 0.05). D_ex and d did not differ significantly between groups. Among t_d-dMRI-derived parameters, f_in showed the highest diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.757; 95% CI, 0.654–0.860). Conclusions: T_d-dMRI-based microstructural mapping demonstrates promise for characterizing the Cr/IDC morphologies in PCa. Full article

The southeastern flank of Mt. Etna is affected by the presence of active faults capable of adapting to deformation through both seismic slip and aseismic creep, posing challenges for seismic microzonation and for land-use planning. Structural surveys in the urban area of San Gregorio di Catania revealed a ~1 km long, N–S trending secondary fracture zone with an extensional component, inducing progressive damage to buildings and infrastructure. To characterize this scarcely visible structure, passive seismic single-station surveys processed with Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) tecnique were integrated with Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). The HVSR data enabled the mapping of the spatial distribution of resonance frequencies, tracking an anomalous trend in the seismic bedrock geometry and depth directly correlatable with the presence of the secondary fracture zone. Directional analyses exhibit systematic preferential orientations of resonance peaks near the fracture corridor, confirming a rigorous structural control and a tectonic origin for the recorded anomalies. Furthermore, reconstructed 2D impedance contrast sections show distinct discontinuities and a local westward dislocation of the main seismo-stratigraphic interface across the deformation zone. The lack of correlated instrumental seismicity supports the interpretation that the displacement is primary accommodated via aseismic fault creep. Methodologically, these findings demonstrate that the passive seismic method provides a highly effective, non-invasive approach for identifying hard-to-detect tectonic structures that remain unobliterated by dense urbanization. Ultimately, these results offer critical, actionable constraints for seismic microzonation and urban land-use setback zoning. Full article

Scent marking has been discussed as an important component of communication in brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758). However, the environmental factors influencing the occurrence of rub trees and their value for non-invasive genetic sampling remain poorly understood. This study examined the patterns of rub tree occurrence in the eastern High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) at two spatial scales. At the tree scale, paired-design generalized linear mixed models showed that rub trees were more frequently recorded on large-diameter coniferous trees, indicating an association with visually prominent and chemically suitable substrates. At the landscape scale, logistic regression models revealed that the probability of rub tree occurrence increased with elevation and distance from human settlements, identifying high-elevation forests as areas of higher predicted rub tree occurrence. The best-supported model was used to produce a predictive map of rub tree occurrence across the study area. We also evaluated whether rub trees are reliable sources of biological material for non-invasive sampling. Hair collected during repeated field visits provided DNA suitable for genotyping and individual identification. Overall, the results show that rub trees exhibit non-random spatial patterns and represent effective focal points for systematic genetic sampling, linking patterns of rub tree occurrence to the spatial targeting of non-invasive genetic sampling in mountain landscapes. Full article

Unloading-induced bone loss is a major medical challenge during long-duration human spaceflight, largely driven by suppressed osteoblast-mediated bone formation, and practical countermeasures are needed. Electromagnetic stimulation has shown benefits for bone repair, and its non-invasiveness supports potential space use; however, its single-modality efficacy remains limited. Here, we investigated a combined electromagnetic field (CEMF) integrating a static magnetic field (SMF, 0.4–0.6 T) and a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF, 0.38 ± 0.19 mT) to attenuate unloading-related bone loss and examine field-induced mechanical stimulation. Finite-element simulations mapped magnetic flux density, field gradient, induced current density, and Lorentz force density in bone tissue. CEMF was evaluated in vivo in hindlimb unloading (HLU) mice and in vitro in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. CEMF improved bone mineral density, trabecular and cortical microarchitecture, and mechanical properties in HLU mice, with increased osteoblast number and mineral apposition rate. In vitro, CEMF promoted osteogenic differentiation and upregulated COL1A1 and RUNX2. Transcriptome analysis suggested activation of ECM–integrin mechanical signaling and the PI3K–AKT pathway. These findings indicate that CEMF-induced multiphysics stimulation enhances osteogenic responses and may serve as a complementary, non-invasive countermeasure for spaceflight-associated bone loss. Full article

Early non-invasive correction of neonatal auricular deformities is highly dependent on timely and precise diagnosis. However, clinical practice is often compromised by the subjectivity of visual assessments and the lack of objective tracking metrics, which frequently leads to missed optimal treatment windows. To address these challenges, we developed an interpretable deep learning-based diagnostic system for the automated screening and fine-grained classification of these deformities. Methodologically, a large-scale, multi-source dataset (n = 4644) was curated to support model training. The system pairs an automated object detector (YOLOv11) for background-reduced region-of-interest isolation with a cascaded classification pipeline optimized via ConvNeXt-Tiny. Crucially, we introduced a supervised contrastive learning module to project high-dimensional morphological features into a continuous severity score, enabling quantitative longitudinal tracking of therapeutic efficacy. To evaluate generalization and robustness, the framework underwent rigorous evaluation across three independent real-world cohorts and one controlled synthetic stress test. The system achieved 88.2% accuracy (Area Under the Curve (AUC): 0.949) in binary screening and 87.4% accuracy (macro-AUC: 0.976) in multi-class subtyping on the internal baseline. To enhance interpretability and build clinical trust, Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) was utilized to explore the spatial distribution of the model’s attention, which frequently aligned with key anatomical landmarks. Furthermore, the learned severity scores robustly quantified post-intervention improvements (p = 0.0004), effectively capturing subtle anatomical normalization. While validation for rare subtypes remains underpowered, and the severity score currently functions mainly as a learned morphological similarity index requiring future clinical calibration, this study ultimately provides an objective and standardized web-based tool to facilitate the early intervention and precision management of neonatal auricular anomalies. Full article

Tropical coastal waters are increasingly recognized as critical reservoirs for virulent, antibiotic-resistant enteric pathogens, yet seasonal dynamics governing their spatial distribution remain poorly characterized. We hypothesized that hydrological shifts and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment drive the seasonal distribution, virulence profiles, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Across 25 coastal sites during dry and transitional seasons, we integrated physicochemical water quality assessment, culture-based enumeration, PCR-based virulence gene profiling, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays, GIS mapping, and statistical analyses. Key water quality parameters, including ammonium, nitrite, and total phosphorus, showed significant seasonal variation (p < 0.05), reflecting distinct hydrological regimes across seasons. A total of 220 E. coli, 200 Salmonella spp., and 100 Shigella spp. isolates were examined for virulence gene profiles and antibiotic tolerance. E. coli was detected at 80–88% of sites, Salmonella spp. at 72–88%, and Shigella spp. at 32–48%. Among E. coli isolates, stx1 was detected at 20–28% of sites and eae at 16% across both seasons. The stn gene was detected in Salmonella spp. at 12–28% of sites seasonally. Virulence profiling confirmed STEC harbouring stx1, stx2, and eae; Salmonella spp. carried stn; and Shigella spp. possessed invasion-associated genes. Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole resistance was recorded in 63.2% of E. coli, 33.0% of Salmonella spp., and 31.0% of Shigella spp. isolates at the lowest tested concentration of 4 µg/mL., while ciprofloxacin and piperacillin–tazobactam retained greater efficacy. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations among faecal contamination, nutrient enrichment, and virulence gene prevalence, implicating untreated sewage discharge and eutrophication as likely ecological factors associated with pathogen occurrence. These findings designate the Jaffna coastal zone as a significant reservoir of virulent AMR enteric pathogens, underscoring the urgent need for integrated One Health surveillance and seasonally adaptive coastal water quality management. Full article

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is currently assessed by invasive biopsy. This prospective study developed and validated a noninvasive random forest model combining multiparametric MRI and clinical biomarkers for identifying severe RIF in 116 patients with biopsy-confirmed renal disease. Quantitative parameters were extracted from IVIM, ASL, phase-contrast MRI, T1 mapping, and BOLD sequences. Fibrosis was classified as mild (<25%) or severe (≥25%). In the held-out test set, the random forest model achieved an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82–0.96), sensitivity of 0.91, and specificity of 0.73, significantly outperforming clinical-only (AUC 0.63), MRI-only (AUC 0.63), and combined LASSO logistic regression (AUC 0.73) benchmarks. The model also demonstrated superior calibration (Brier score 0.154) and net clinical benefit on decision curve analysis. This integrated MRI–clinical model shows promise for noninvasive identification of severe RIF and warrants external prospective validation. Full article

Automated detection of archaeological stone cairns using high-resolution satellite imagery offers a scalable approach for documenting vulnerable heritage landscapes in the Ennedi Massif, where extensive and remote terrain limits traditional field survey, and rapid documentation is required. This study presents a GIS and deep learning framework based on the YOLOv8 model to identify and map stone cairns using Google Satellite RGB imagery at 28.5 cm spatial resolution. Ground-truth data collected via GPS field survey were used to train and validate YOLOv8n. The study area was divided into two regions with contrasting terrain and illumination conditions to evaluate model transferability. The training region included 149 verified cairns, while the independent test region included 103 cairns. Early stopping reduced overfitting, reaching mAP50 of 99.5% and mAP50–95 of 94.3%. A density-based spatial clustering algorithm was applied to merge overlapping detections and generate circular cairn representations. On the test set, the model achieved 83.5% precision, recall, and F1-score, indicating stable performance under the selected operational configuration. Comparison with YOLOv5n showed slightly higher localization accuracy for YOLOv8n, while YOLOv5n yielded marginally higher precision and F1-score. Overall, the framework provides a non-invasive tool for large-scale archaeological prospection and heritage monitoring in remote desert environments. Full article

Background: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) generate non-pulsatile circulation, rendering conventional oscillometric blood pressure measurements unreliable. Accurate monitoring is critical to prevent complications including stroke, pump thrombosis, and aortic regurgitation. Doppler-based measurement is widely used as a non-invasive alternative, yet its accuracy relative to invasive arterial pressure remains insufficiently characterized. Methods: In this prospective single-centre study, 32 adult continuous-flow LVAD patients underwent simultaneous invasive radial artery and Doppler blood pressure measurements twice daily over three consecutive days (192 paired readings; Day 3: n = 27 due to technical recording issues). Pulsatility was assessed by means of peripheral pulse palpation and transthoracic echocardiography. Spearman’s rho, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Bland–Altman analysis were applied. Results: Median invasive MAP was 73.0 [IQR 66–80] mmHg and median Doppler pressure was 75.0 [IQR 70–80] mmHg. Doppler measurements demonstrated strong-to-excellent correlation with invasive MAP across all time points (r = 0.78–0.91, p < 0.001), with no significant paired differences (all p > 0.05). Bland–Altman analysis revealed a bias of −0.35 mmHg with limits of agreement of −9.10 to +8.40 mmHg, within the accepted ±10 mmHg threshold. Correlation with systolic pressure was lower (r = 0.66–0.89, p < 0.001), with a positive bias of +13.47 mmHg and wide limits of agreement (+1.28 to +25.67 mmHg), indicating clinically unacceptable agreement. Conclusions: Doppler-derived blood pressure may provide a reliable estimate of invasive MAP in continuous-flow LVAD patients, whereas its utility for systolic pressure estimation appears limited. Doppler measurement represents a practical, non-invasive tool for routine MAP monitoring in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Full article

Laser acupuncture, defined as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy applied to specific acupuncture points, has been proposed as a non-invasive adjunctive strategy in oral and dental care. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and critically appraise systematic reviews evaluating laser acupuncture in dental and orofacial conditions. The review followed PRISMA 2020 recommendations and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 12 May 2026. Systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis were included. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and findings were narratively synthesized considering methodological quality, overlap, consistency, dosimetric heterogeneity, and clinical applicability. From 263 records identified, six systematic reviews published between 2021 and 2024 met the eligibility criteria. The included reviews addressed three main domains: temporomandibular disorders, dental-related neuropathies, and pediatric dental outcomes. Laser acupuncture protocols used red to near-infrared wavelengths, mainly between 690 and 980 nm, but varied substantially in fluence, energy delivery, irradiation time, session frequency, and acupoint selection. The most consistent signal was observed for short-term pain reduction in temporomandibular disorders, although comparative evidence did not support laser acupuncture as superior to established conservative therapies. Evidence for dental-related neuropathies was associated with possible improvements in neurosensory and motor outcomes, while pediatric evidence suggested possible short-term changes in gag reflex, procedural pain, and bruxism-related outcomes; however, both domains were supported by only one systematic review each and should be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating. No serious adverse events were reported, but harm reporting was limited. Overall, this umbrella review should be interpreted as an evidence map rather than as a source of high-certainty clinical recommendations. Laser acupuncture may represent an emerging adjunctive approach for selected dental and orofacial indications; however, current evidence remains limited and heterogeneous and does not support standardized protocols, stand-alone use, or definitive clinical recommendations. Full article

Introduction: The colossal European catfish (Silurus glanis) is the largest invasive freshwater fish on the Iberian Peninsula, reaching up to 2.8 metres and 130 kg in weight. Its large size makes it a highly valued target for recreational anglers, leading to repeated illegal introductions across several Iberian watersheds. Despite its appeal to anglers, this species is recognised as a high-impact invasive predator with substantial ecological consequences for European freshwater ecosystems. Recently, large catfish aggregations have been reported by anglers and environmentalists in several areas of Portugal and Spain. These impressive aggregations are frequently documented on videos and posted on social media networks (Facebook, WhatsApp groups, etc) or shared directly with our team members. Objective: Such records provide a valuable source of information for identifying the habitats and seasonal periods associated with aggregation behaviours and may therefore support more efficient management and population control actions. Methodology: We compiled information on European catfish aggregation events in Southern Iberia, namely date and location. The catfish aggregations were mapped, and their general habitat characteristics were described. Results: We recorded 10 catfish aggregation events, most of which occurred between May and June. These were generally located in transitional areas between lentic and lotic habitats, especially in narrower river sections. Possible explanations include hydromorphological constraints, seasonal environmental conditions, and species-specific behavioural responses, although these mechanisms require further investigation. Conclusions: Within the LIFE PREDATOR project, which focuses on the management of European catfish in the Tagus watershed, knowledge of aggregation locations is important to direct population control efforts aimed at reducing the abundance of this invasive fish. Moreover, the identification of common habitat characteristics may help predict other potential aggregation sites and improve the planning of future management actions. Full article

Magnetocardiography (MCG) is currently a promising technique for non-invasive diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. Clinicians can evaluate the degree of ischemia and categorize subjects into three groups: mild ischemia, severe ischemia, and healthy individuals, by examining the spatiotemporal evolution of cardiac magnetic three-field maps. However, the complex spatiotemporal dynamics of MCG data make it challenging for a single modality to characterize ischemia severity. Consequently, we propose a causal-driven multimodal fusion framework that integrates handcrafted key features with MCG image representations. This framework systematically models two types of confounders using a Structural Causal Model (SCM), namely latent visual confounders and cross-modal fusion confounders. To mitigate spurious correlations and feature redundancy during representation learning, we design two causal-inspired modules based on front-door adjustment and counterfactual intervention. Experimental results on our dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in improving MCG-based ischemia severity grading. Full article