Search Results (344)

We previously reported that the fathers of the Bien Hoa birth cohort in Vietnam showed altered brain regional gray matter volumes, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and social anxiety traits associated with perinatal dioxin exposure. In the present study, we aimed to compare gray matter volumes and social anxiety scale scores between dioxin-exposed fathers in Bien Hoa and unexposed controls in an unsprayed area. Fat-based bioassay-toxic equivalency levels in serum were used to indicate dioxin exposure in adulthood. Results indicated that the longer Bien Hoa residency group (≥30 years) exposed to dioxins during the perinatal period and early childhood showed higher gray matter volumes in the right and left temporal lobes than controls. However, no significant differences in temporal lobe gray matter volumes were found between the shorter Bien Hoa residency group (<30 years) and controls. Furthermore, the longer, but not shorter, Bien Hoa residency group showed higher social–emotional subscale scores than controls. Additionally, fat-based bioassay-toxic equivalency levels were inversely correlated with gray matter volumes in several right temporal gyri. These findings suggest biphasic life stage-dependent adverse effects of dioxin exposure: perinatal dioxin exposure increases gray matter volumes, especially in the temporal lobe, which leads to neurodevelopmental disorders with socio-emotional disturbances, whereas dioxin exposure after brain development decreases cortical gray matter volumes, possibly leading to cognitive dysfunction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Electroencephalography (EEG)-based emotion recognition plays an important role in affective computing and brain–computer interface applications. However, existing methods often face the challenge of achieving high classification accuracy while maintaining physiological interpretability. Methods: In this study, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) model with a simple architecture for EEG-based emotion classification. The model achieves classification accuracies of 95.21% for low/high arousal, 94.59% for low/high valence, and 93.01% for quaternary classification tasks on the DEAP dataset. To further improve model interpretability and support practical applications, Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) is employed to identify the EEG electrode regions that contribute most to the classification results. Results: The visualization reveals that electrodes located in the right prefrontal cortex and left parietal lobe are the most influential, which is consistent with findings from emotional lateralization theory. Conclusions: This provides a physiological basis for optimizing electrode placement in wearable EEG-based emotion recognition systems. The proposed method combines high classification performance with interpretability and provides guidance for the design of efficient and portable affective computing systems. Full article

Background: Developmental dyslexia (DD) is the most common form of specific learning disorders (SLDs). From a neurocognitive point of view, dyslexic reading is associated with atypical neurofunctional patterns in the left hemisphere, mainly in the posterior areas linked to lexical access and phonological processing. Nowadays, rehabilitation treatments do not aim to fix the disorder but rather improve adaptive skills. On the other hand, the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently gained popularity in this field. In fact, a few studies have documented enhanced accuracy and speed after the tDCS over the parietal cortex, although the results were mainly limited to non-word reading. Methods: We conducted a single-case study employing an innovative multifocal eight-channel tDCS aimed at increasing the reading network activity in the left hemisphere and inhibiting the contralateral areas. The participant was a 9-year-old boy with a diagnosis of severe mixed-type specific learning disorder. The high-definition multifocal tDCS was administered over key areas of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes (four 3.14 cm² electrodes per hemisphere) in conjunction with tachistoscope training over a span of 10 weeks, with three sessions per week for a total of thirty sessions. Standardized assessments of reading were carried out at the beginning, at the end of the treatment, and at one- and six-month follow-up. Results: The treatment led to a 77% improvement in the accuracy of passage reading and an 83% improvement in the reading of high-frequency short words, with stable results at the 1- and 6-month follow-up. By contrast, in line with the severity of the disorder, there were only slight improvements in the speed parameter. Conclusions: This is the first study to document such remarkable improvements in reading in a case of severe SLD: if confirmed, these promising findings could pave the way for an effective, non-invasive rehabilitation for SLDs using multifocal tDCS. However, future studies are needed to overcome the limitations of single-case studies, such as the lack of control conditions and quantifiable analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pulmonary typical carcinoid (TC) is a rare type of primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the lung with indolent behavior and a good prognosis. The main treatment strategy is surgery, the extent of which is controversial given the nature of the disease. The aim of this study is to assess whether the extent of resection influences survival and recurrence in patients undergoing lung resection and lymphadenectomy for TC and to investigate negative prognostic factors for OS. Methods: A single-centre retrospective study of 15 years’ experience was conducted. Data from all patients who underwent lung resection and lymphadenectomy for TC were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: anatomical and non-anatomical resections. Perioperative and long-term oncological results were analyzed. Results: In total, 115 patients were surgically treated for TC, of whom 83 (72%) underwent anatomical resection and 32 (28%) non-anatomical resection. Univariate analyses showed that age, left lower lobe, and many comorbidities had a detrimental effect on OS, whereas on multivariate analysis, only left lower lobe location and a high Charlson–Deyo comorbidity index (CCI) were confirmed as negative prognostic factors for OS. At a median follow-up of 93 months (IQR 57-129), the OS survival curves show a slightly lower trend for non-anatomical resections (p 0.152), while no differences were found for DFS. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that in selected patients at risk for major resections, non-anatomical resection can be used to treat TC when R0 is achievable. These data, together with evidence from the literature, highlight the importance of patient-centred care in this rare disease. Full article

Background: Congenital anosmia (CA) is a rare condition characterized by a lifelong inability to perceive odors, which significantly affects daily life and may be linked to broader neurodevelopmental alterations. This study aimed to investigate structural brain differences in patients with CA using MRI, focusing on gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes and their implications for neurodevelopment. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 patients with CA and 28 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients with CA were diagnosed at a single medical center between 1 January 2001 and 30 August 2024. Controls were randomly selected from an imaging database and had no history of olfactory dysfunction. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)was analyzed using volumetric analysis in SPM12.GM and WM volumes were quantified across 11 anatomical brain regions based on theWFU_PickAtlas toolbox, including frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, limbic, sub-lobar, cerebellum (anterior/posterior), midbrain, the pons, and the frontal–temporal junction. Left–right hemispheric comparisons were also conducted. Results: Patients with CA exhibited significantly smaller GM volumes compared to healthy controls (560.6 ± 114.7 cc vs. 693.7 ± 96.3 cc, p < 0.001) but larger WM volumes (554.2 ± 75.4 cc vs. 491.1 ± 79.7 cc, p = 0.015). Regionally, GM reductions were observed in the frontal (131.9 ± 33.7 cc vs. 173.7 ± 27.0 cc, p < 0.001), temporal (81.1 ± 18.4 cc vs. 96.5 ± 14.1 cc, p = 0.001), parietal (52.4 ± 15.2 cc vs. 77.2 ± 12.4 cc, p < 0.001), sub-lobar (57.8 ± 9.7 cc vs. 68.2 ± 10.2 cc, p = 0.001), occipital (39.1 ± 13.0 cc vs. 57.8 ± 8.9 cc, p < 0.001), and midbrain (2.0 ± 0.5 cc vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 cc, p = 0.006) regions. Meanwhile, WM increases were notable in the frontal(152.0 ± 19.9 cc vs. 139.2 ± 24.0 cc, p = 0.027), temporal (71.5 ± 11.5 cc vs. 60.8 ± 9.5 cc, p = 0.001), parietal (75.8 ± 12.4 cc vs. 61.9 ± 11.5 cc, p < 0.001), and occipital (58.7 ± 10.3 cc vs. 41.9 ± 7.9 cc, p < 0.001) lobes. A separate analysis of the left and right hemispheres revealed similar patterns of reduced GM and increased WM volumes in patients with CA across both sides. An exception was noted in the right cerebellum-posterior, where patients with CA showed significantly greater WM volume (5.625 ± 1.667 cc vs. 4.666 ± 1.583 cc, p = 0.026). Conclusions: This study demonstrates widespread structural brain differences in individuals with CA, including reduced GM and increased WM volumes across multiple cortical and sub-lobar regions. These findings suggest that congenital olfactory deprivation may impact brain maturation beyond primary olfactory pathways, potentially reflecting altered synaptic pruning and increased myelination during early neurodevelopment. The involvement of the cerebellum further implies potential adaptations beyond motor functions. These structural differences may serve as potential neuroimaging markers for monitoring CA-associated cognitive or emotional comorbidities. Full article

This paper presents the design, simulation, and experimental validation of a dual-Circularly Polarized (CP) array antenna to be used as single element for a bistatic radar system, aimed at detecting and tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The antenna operates at 412 MHz in reception mode and consists of an array of 19 slotted-patch radiating elements with a cavity-based metallic superstrate, designed to support dual circular polarization. These elements are arranged in a hexagonal configuration, enabling the array structure to achieve a maximum realized gain of 17 dBi and a Side Lobe Level (SLL) below −17 dB while maintaining high polarization purity. Two identical analog feeding networks enable the precise control of phase and amplitude, allowing the independent reception of Right-Hand and Left-Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP and LHCP) signals. Full-wave simulations and experimental measurements confirm the high performance and robustness of the system, demonstrating its suitability for integration into large-scale Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensor networks. Full article

(1) Background: Evidence from non-human animal and spaceflight analog studies have suggested that traveling to outer space could have a significant impact on the structural properties of the hippocampus, a brain region within the medial temporal lobe that is critical for learning and memory. Here, we tested this hypothesis in a group of astronauts who participated in a six-month mission in the International Space Station (ISS). (2) Methods: We collected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from a sample of 17 (9 males, 8 females) astronauts before and after the ISS mission, and calculated percent gray matter volume changes in the whole hippocampus and its (anterior, body, and posterior) subregions in both hemispheres. (3) Following the six-month mission in the ISS, we found a significantly decreased volume in the whole left hippocampus; in addition, when looking at subregions separately, we detected a significantly decreased volume in the anterior subregion of the left hippocampus and the body subregion of the right hippocampus. We also found a significantly decreased volume in the whole right hippocampus of male astronauts as compared to female astronauts. (4) Conclusions: This study, providing the very first evidence of hippocampal volumetric changes in astronauts following a six-month mission to the ISS, could have significant implications for cognitive performance during future long-duration spaceflights. Full article

Background/Objectives: Deceleration can cause liver ruptures via ligament traction, with a specific, little-known transverse rupture in segment II of the left lobe being a concern. This study aimed to provide a detailed morphological characterization of these segment II ruptures, analyse their formation mechanisms using autopsy material, and propose a systematic intraoperative assessment method to improve their detection. Methods: This study analysed the autopsy cases of 132 victims of sudden, violent deceleration (falls from height, traffic accidents) performed between 2011 and 2014. Liver injuries were meticulously described, focusing on the morphological characteristics of ruptures (course, shape, depth) and their location relative to hepatic ligaments. Cases with prior liver resection due to injuries were excluded. Results: Liver ruptures were found in 61 of the 132 analysed cases (46.2%). A “new location” for ruptures was identified on the diaphragmatic surface of the left lobe’s segment II, near and along the left coronary and triangular ligaments. This specific type of rupture was found in 14 cases. Overall, 40 cadavers had liver ruptures near ligaments, totalling 55 such distinct ruptures, indicating that some had multiple ligament-associated tears. The incidence of liver rupture at this newly described site was statistically significant. Conclusions: Transverse rupture of the left hepatic lobe’s segment II, in its subdiaphragmatic area, results from ligament “pulling” forces during deceleration and is a characteristic injury. Its presence should be considered following blunt abdominal trauma involving deceleration, and the subdiaphragmatic area of the left lateral lobe requires intraoperative inspection, especially if other ligament-associated liver ruptures are found. Full article

Primary hepatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours (PHGISTs) are rare and frequently misdiagnosed due to their atypical presentation and uncertain origin. The purpose of this article is to present the case of a 79-year-old female patient with a gigantic PHGIST characterized by a predominantly cystic nature—an extremely rare presentation, as most cases of PHGIST are solid. Despite extensive imaging and exploratory laparotomy, the primary origin remained uncertain, leading to questioning about whether it was a true primary hepatic GIST or an atypical metastatic lesion. The initial therapeutic approach involved a surgical procedure aimed to confirm the diagnosis and achieve reductive tumourectomy. Following the surgery, the patient was administered imatinib with a favourable clinical response for four and a half years—an atypical pattern of resistance, as most patients typically develop therapeutic resistance within two to three years. A second surgical intervention was performed to address a cystic lesion localized in the left hepatic lobe, followed by an atypical segment III hepatectomy to achieve macroscopic resection. Subsequently, the patient received sunitinib for two and a half years, which resulted in temporary disease stabilization. However, the sunitinib treatment was associated with hypertension and leukopenia. The patient’s overall survival was 8 years, suggesting that individualized therapeutic strategies and close monitoring might be the key in such cases. Furthermore, this case confirms the role of surgical intervention even in advanced disease stages, with multiple major resections contributing significantly to prolonged survival. The interplay between surgical and oncologic therapies remains essential to guiding clinical decisions. Given the unusual cystic presentation, this case highlights the necessity to expand the pathological and molecular profiling of PHGISTs. Furthermore, the atypical timeline of resistance development and treatment-related toxicity emphasizes the importance of further research into the genetic and pharmacological determinants of PHGISTs. These findings advocate for the refinement of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surveillance protocols tailored to rare GIST subtypes. Full article

Background: Liver resection of a caudate lobe is a challenging procedure in both open and minimally invasive approaches. The reason is mainly related to its anatomical position: segment 1 (S1) lies on the inferior vein cava, behind the main and the left portal veins, and below the hepatic veins. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the results of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) versus open liver resection (OLR) for S1 resection. Methods: Available literature up to June 2024 was retrieved from the Medline and Embase databases. A systematic review with a meta-analysis was carried out to investigate the safety and efficacy of LLR for the S1 segment. Results: Six studies including 292 patients (LLR: n = 132; OLR: n = 160) were selected for the meta-analysis. The OLR cohort showed higher estimated blood loss (EBL) (MD: 140.1, 95% CI 49.3–130.8; p = 0.011) and longer length of hospital stay (MD: 3, 95% CI 1.8–4.2; p = 0.001). No differences in severe postoperative morbidity, overall morbidity, R1 resection rates, transfusion rates, operative time, and duration of Pringle maneuvers were shown. Conclusion: LLR for lesions located in S1 is safe and effective and may be associated with lower EBL and shorter length of stay than OLR. Further larger prospective studies are needed to confirm such results. Full article

Background: Surgical resection remains the standard treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Traditionally, lobectomy has been considered the procedure of choice; however, emerging evidence suggests that trisegmentectomy may offer comparable outcomes. This meta-analysis evaluates whether left upper lobe trisegmentectomy provides non-inferior or superior oncologic outcomes compared to left upper lobectomy, with particular attention to recurrence patterns. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we included comparative studies evaluating left upper lobectomy versus trisegmentectomy. Outcomes assessed included recurrence (locoregional and distant), morbidity, and the length of hospital stay. A meta-analysis was conducted using the metabin function from the R meta package. Results: Of 14 identified articles, 9 met the inclusion criteria. No significant differences were observed in locoregional recurrence. However, distant recurrence was significantly lower in the trisegmentectomy group (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41–0.82). While overall morbidity showed no significant difference (OR 0.95), analysis of matched studies favored trisegmentectomy (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.56–0.96). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the trisegmentectomy group (OR –0.94; 95% CI –1.26 to –0.63). Conclusions: Trisegmentectomy and lobectomy exhibit distinct recurrence patterns, with lobectomy associated with a higher rate of distant recurrence. Trisegmentectomy may provide oncologic and perioperative advantages in appropriately selected patients. The systematic review and meta-analysis are registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD420251066445). Full article

A 16-year-old captive male puma (Puma concolor) presented with progressive weight loss and acute mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging revealed abdominal, pleural, and pericardial effusion and nodular masses in multiple organs. Due to the clinical condition, multiple organ involvement, and a poor prognosis, compassionate euthanasia was chosen. Necropsy revealed abundant cavitary effusions and multiple yellow–white neoplastic masses involving the left hepatic lobes. Metastatic nodules were observed throughout the peritoneum, pericardium, kidney, spleen, and spermatic cord. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by tubular and acinar structures embedded in a desmoplastic stroma. Neoplastic cells were positive for pan-cytokeratins (CKs), CK7, and, to a lesser extent, CK20. The gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with intrahepatic metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Full article

Background: Acute visceral pain is among the most common symptoms of patients seeking in-hospital treatment and is related to various thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic diseases. It is characterized by distinguishable sensory qualities and can be described on a sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational level. These sensory qualities correlate with the activation of cerebral areas involved in the neuronal processing of visceral pain and can be visualized using functional neuroimaging. Methods: An ALE (activation likelihood estimation) meta-analysis of a total of 21 studies investigating different balloon distention paradigms during either PET or fMRI was performed to demonstrate the neuroanatomical correlates of visceral pain. The ALE meta-analysis was performed using the GingerAle software version 3.0.2 and was displayed with the Mango software 4.1 on an anatomical MNI template. Results: Summarizing studies investigating the functional neuroanatomy of visceral pain, bihemispheric activation of the insula, the thalamus, and clusters involving the right inferior parietal lobe/postcentral gyrus as well as the left postcentral gyrus/parietal inferior lobe were observed. Conclusions: This ALE meta-analysis substantiates the concept of two distinguishable neuroanatomical pathways of visceral pain which are related to either the sensory-discriminative or the affective-motivational dimension of pain processing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become an alternative to oral anticoagulation in selected patients with atrial fibrillation. The results of transcatheter LAAO were evaluated by conventional cardiac angiography (CCA), fluoroscopy, and 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: In 47 consecutive patients (76 ± 8 years), LAAO was performed with the Amplatzer^TM device. CCA and 2D and 3D TEE were performed for LAA measurements. The eccentricity of the device landing zone was assessed by 3D TEE as the ratio of the maximal and minimal diameters. The device size was selected depending on the CCA maximal diameter. The postprocedural device lobe morphology was classified by fluoroscopy as “square” type (sign of undersizing), “tire” type (optimal deformation), and “strawberry” type (sign of oversizing). After 6 months, TEE was repeated to evaluate peri-device leaks (PDLs). Results: The postprocedural device morphology was “square” type in 9 (19%), “tire” type in 28 (60%), and “strawberry” type in 10 patients (21%). After 6 months, peri-device leaks were observed in 11 patients (23%), with the lowest incidence in the “tire”-type group (11%) compared with “square” type (56%) and “strawberry” type (30%) (p = 0.019). The 3D TEE eccentricity index with a cut-off value of ≤1.29 (indicating a more circular morphology) was a very specific predictor for excluding postprocedural device deformation of the “strawberry” type (AUC = 0.689; sensitivity 48.7%, specificity 100%). Conclusions: Undersizing as well as oversizing of the LAA occluder, as characterized by deformation type by fluoroscopy, was associated with postprocedural PDLs. The eccentricity of the LAA landing zone by 3D TEE may indicate inadequate size selection of the Amplatzer^TM device leading to oversizing in patients with a more eccentric LAA. Full article

Structural biomarkers determined by X-ray scattering of the tissues can complement conventional diagnostics and provide a pathway for early detection of diseases. In the present study, mouse models were utilized to observe the progression of prostate cancer. We induced cancer in the left lobe of the mouse prostate, whilst the right lobe was left uninoculated. The mice were sacrificed at increasing systematic time points, and lobe samples were subsequently analyzed using X-ray scattering. Control samples were also collected from healthy mice sacrificed at the same time points. This investigation revealed that the ratio between the X-ray scattering peaks associated with the lipids and water can serve as a structural biomarker of cancer, and this biomarker develops as the tumor advances. The obtained cancer trajectory can serve as a baseline for the determination of the disease stage, and the biomarker movement along the trajectory can be evidence of the healing or disease progression. Full article