Non-invasive imaging techniques in the diagnosis of skin diseases

Many non-invasive imaging techniques are available for the evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease. Among these, computed-tomography-based techniques allow the quantification of coronary atherosclerotic calcium and non-invasive imaging of coronary arteries, whereas nuclear cardiology is the most widely used non-invasive approach for the assessment of myocardial perfusion. The available single-photon-emission computed tomography flow agents are characterised by a cardiac uptake proportional to myocardial blood flow. In addition, different positron emission tomography tracers may be used for the quantitative measurement of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve. Extensive research is being performed in the development of non-invasive coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging using cardiac magnetic resonance. Finally, new multimodality imaging systems have recently been developed bringing together anatomical and functional information. This article provides a description of the available non-invasive imaging techniques in the assessment of coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion in patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease.

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NDT characterisation of carbon-fibre and glass-fibre composites using non-invasive imaging techniques

Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Quantitative InfraRed Thermography ◽

10.21611/qirt.2010.008 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

N.P. Avdelidis ◽

C. Ibarra-Castanedo ◽

A. Bendada ◽

E. Saarimaki ◽

T. Kauppinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Fibre ◽

Glass Fibre ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Fibre Composites

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Semi-Quantitative Ultrasonographic Evaluation of NAFLD

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200417142444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (32) ◽

pp. 3915-3927 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stefano Ballestri ◽

Claudio Tana ◽

Maria Di Girolamo ◽

Maria Cristina Fontana ◽

Mariano Capitelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Metabolic Complications ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Progressive Liver Disease

: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) embraces histopathological entities ranging from the relatively benign simple steatosis to the progressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is associated with fibrosis and an increased risk of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is the most common liver disease and is associated with extrahepatic comorbidities including a major cardiovascular disease burden. : The non-invasive diagnosis of NAFLD and the identification of subjects at risk of progressive liver disease and cardio-metabolic complications are key in implementing personalized treatment schedules and follow-up strategies. : In this review, we highlight the potential role of ultrasound semiquantitative scores for detecting and assessing steatosis severity, progression of NAFLD, and cardio-metabolic risk. : Ultrasonographic scores of fatty liver severity act as sensors of cardio-metabolic health and may assist in selecting patients to submit to second-line non-invasive imaging techniques and/or liver biopsy.

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Current Trends in Non-Invasive Imaging of Interactions in the Liver Tumor Microenvironment Mediated by Tumor Metabolism

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13153645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 3645

Author(s):

Isabel Theresa Schobert ◽

Lynn Jeanette Savic

Keyword(s):

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

Liver Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Tumor Metabolism ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

Non Invasive

With the increasing understanding of resistance mechanisms mediated by the metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, there is a growing clinical interest in imaging technologies that allow for the non-invasive characterization of tumor metabolism and the interactions of cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated through tumor metabolism. Specifically, tumor glycolysis and subsequent tissue acidosis in the realms of the Warburg effect may promote an immunosuppressive TME, causing a substantial barrier to the clinical efficacy of numerous immuno-oncologic treatments. Thus, imaging the varying individual compositions of the TME may provide a more accurate characterization of the individual tumor. This approach can help to identify the most suitable therapy for each individual patient and design new targeted treatment strategies that disable resistance mechanisms in liver cancer. This review article focuses on non-invasive positron-emission tomography (PET)- and MR-based imaging techniques that aim to visualize the crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment in liver cancer mediated by tumor metabolism.

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Flexible Potentiometric Sensor System for Non-Invasive Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Human Skin: Application for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Phytocosmetic Products

Chemosensors ◽

10.3390/chemosensors9040076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Aleksey V. Tarasov ◽

Ekaterina I. Khamzina ◽

Maria A. Bukharinova ◽

Natalia Yu. Stozhko

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Human Skin ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Silver Chloride ◽

Potentiometric Sensor ◽

Sensor System ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Pet Film ◽

The Impact

In contemporary bioanalysis, monitoring the antioxidant activity (AOA) of the human skin is used to assess stresses, nutrition, cosmetics, and certain skin diseases. Non-invasive methods for skin AOA monitoring have certain advantages over invasive methods, namely cost-effectiveness, lower labor intensity, reduced risk of infection, and obtaining results in the real-time mode. This study presents a new flexible potentiometric sensor system (FPSS) for non-invasive determination of the human skin AOA, which is based on flexible film electrodes (FFEs) and membrane containing a mediator ([Fe(CN)6]3–/4–). Low-cost available materials and scalable technologies were used for FFEs manufacturing. The indicator FFE was fabricated based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and carbon veil (CV) by single-sided hot lamination. The reference FFE was fabricated based on PET film and silver paint by using screen printing, which was followed by the electrodeposition of precipitate containing a mixture of silver chloride and silver ferricyanide (SCSF). The three-electrode configuration of the FPSS, including two indicator FFEs (CV/PET) and one reference FFE (SCSF/Ag/PET), has been successfully used for measuring the skin AOA and evaluating the impact of phytocosmetic products. FPSS provides reproducible (RSD ≤ 7%) and accurate (recovery of antioxidants is almost 100%) results, which allows forecasting its broad applicability in human skin AOA monitoring as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of topically and orally applied antioxidants.

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The Use of Micro- and Nanocarriers for Resveratrol Delivery into and across the Skin in Different Skin Diseases—A Literature Review

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 451

Author(s):

Beata Szulc-Musioł ◽

Beata Sarecka-Hujar

Keyword(s):

Transdermal Delivery ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Skin Surface ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Skin Abnormalities ◽

Low Solubility ◽

Active Substances ◽

Poor Stability

In recent years, polyphenols have been extensively studied due to their antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown that anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols play an important role in the prevention of bacterial infections, as well as vascular or skin diseases. Particularly, resveratrol, as a multi-potent agent, may prevent or mitigate the effects of oxidative stress. As the largest organ of the human body, skin is an extremely desirable target for the possible delivery of active substances. The transdermal route of administration of active compounds shows many advantages, including avoidance of gastrointestinal irritation and the first-pass effect. Moreover, it is non-invasive and can be self-administered. However, this delivery is limited, mainly due to the need to overpassing the stratum corneum, the possible decomposition of the substances in contact with the skin surface or in the deeper layers thereof. In addition, using resveratrol for topical and transdermal delivery faces the problems of its low solubility and poor stability. To overcome this, novel systems of delivery are being developed for the effective transport of resveratrol across the skin. Carriers in the micro and nano size were demonstrated to be more efficient for safe and faster topical and transdermal delivery of active substances. The present review aimed to discuss the role of resveratrol in the treatment of skin abnormalities with a special emphasis on technologies enhancing transdermal delivery of resveratrol.

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The Cat Mandible (II): Manipulation of the Jaw, with a New Prosthesis Proposal, to Avoid Iatrogenic Complications

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030683 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 683

Author(s):

Matilde Lombardero ◽

Mario López-Lombardero ◽

Diana Alonso-Peñarando ◽

María del Mar Yllera

Keyword(s):

Imaging Techniques ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Prosthesis Design ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Mandibular Fractures ◽

Rigid Fixation ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Iatrogenic Complications ◽

Mandibular Body

The cat mandible is relatively small, and its manipulation implies the use of fixing methods and different repair techniques according to its small size to keep its biomechanical functionality intact. Attempts to fix dislocations of the temporomandibular joint should be primarily performed by non-invasive techniques (repositioning the bones and immobilisation), although when this is not possible, a surgical method should be used. Regarding mandibular fractures, these are usually concurrent with other traumatic injuries that, if serious, should be treated first. A non-invasive approach should also first be considered to fix mandibular fractures. When this is impractical, internal rigid fixation methods, such as osteosynthesis plates, should be used. However, it should be taken into account that in the cat mandible, dental roots and the mandibular canal structures occupy most of the volume of the mandibular body, a fact that makes it challenging to apply a plate with fixed screw positions without invading dental roots or neurovascular structures. Therefore, we propose a new prosthesis design that will provide acceptable rigid biomechanical stabilisation, but avoid dental root and neurovascular damage, when fixing simple mandibular body fractures. Future trends will include the use of better diagnostic imaging techniques, a patient-specific prosthesis design and the use of more biocompatible materials to minimise the patient’s recovery period and suffering.

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In Vivo Imaging of Biodegradable Implants and Related Tissue Biomarkers

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13142348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 2348

Author(s):

Leon Riehakainen ◽

Chiara Cavallini ◽

Paolo Armanetti ◽

Daniele Panetta ◽

Davide Caramella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Imaging Modality ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Special Focus ◽

Tissue Remodelling ◽

Biodegradable Implant ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Longitudinal Imaging

Non-invasive longitudinal imaging of osseointegration of bone implants is essential to ensure a comprehensive, physical and biochemical understanding of the processes related to a successful implant integration and its long-term clinical outcome. This study critically reviews the present imaging techniques that may play a role to assess the initial stability, bone quality and quantity, associated tissue remodelling dependent on implanted material, implantation site (surrounding tissues and placement depth), and biomarkers that may be targeted. An updated list of biodegradable implant materials that have been reported in the literature, from metal, polymer and ceramic categories, is provided with reference to the use of specific imaging modalities (computed tomography, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging) suitable for longitudinal and non-invasive imaging in humans. The advantages and disadvantages of the single imaging modality are discussed with a special focus on preclinical imaging for biodegradable implant research. Indeed, the investigation of a new implant commonly requires histological examination, which is invasive and does not allow longitudinal studies, thus requiring a large number of animals for preclinical testing. For this reason, an update of the multimodal and multi-parametric imaging capabilities will be here presented with a specific focus on modern biomaterial research.

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Holistic description of new deep sea megafauna (Cephalopoda: Cirrata) using a minimally invasive approach

BMC Biology ◽

10.1186/s12915-021-01000-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Ziegler ◽

Christina Sagorny

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Dna Barcoding ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Additional Support ◽

Holistic Description

Abstract Background In zoology, species descriptions conventionally rely on invasive morphological techniques, frequently leading to damage of the specimens and thus only a partial understanding of their structural complexity. More recently, non-destructive imaging techniques have successfully been used to describe smaller fauna, but this approach has so far not been applied to identify or describe larger animal species. Here, we present a combination of entirely non-invasive as well as minimally invasive methods that permit taxonomic descriptions of large zoological specimens in a more comprehensive manner. Results Using the single available representative of an allegedly novel species of deep-sea cephalopod (Mollusca: Cephalopoda), digital photography, standardized external measurements, high-field magnetic resonance imaging, micro-computed tomography, and DNA barcoding were combined to gather all morphological and molecular characters relevant for a full species description. The results show that this specimen belongs to the cirrate octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) genus Grimpoteuthis Robson, 1932. Based on the number of suckers, position of web nodules, cirrus length, presence of a radula, and various shell characters, the specimen is designated as the holotype of a new species of dumbo octopus, G. imperator sp. nov. The digital nature of the acquired data permits a seamless online deposition of raw as well as derived morphological and molecular datasets in publicly accessible repositories. Conclusions Using high-resolution, non-invasive imaging systems intended for the analysis of larger biological objects, all external as well as internal morphological character states relevant for the identification of a new megafaunal species were obtained. Potentially harmful effects on this unique deep-sea cephalopod specimen were avoided by scanning the fixed animal without admixture of a contrast agent. Additional support for the taxonomic placement of the new dumbo octopus species was obtained through DNA barcoding, further underlining the importance of combining morphological and molecular datasets for a holistic description of zoological specimens.

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Virus induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and protein biomarkers

Pakistan BioMedical Journal ◽

10.52229/pbmj.v4i2.72 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hamza Abbas Jaffari ◽

Sumaira Mazhar

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Early Stage ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Disease Diagnosis ◽

Protein Biomarkers ◽

Early Disease ◽

Detection Systems ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Viral Hepatitis B ◽

Current Article

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a standout amongst the most widely recognized cancers around the world, and just as the alcoholic liver disease it is also progressed by extreme viral hepatitis B or C. At the early stage of the disease, numerous patients are asymptomatic consequently late diagnosis of HCC occurs resulting in expensive surgical resection or transplantation. On the basis of the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) estimation, combined with the ultrasound and other sensitive imaging techniques used, the non-invasive detection systems are available. For early disease diagnosis and its use in the effective treatment of HCC patients, the identification of HCC biomarkers has provided a breakthrough utilizing the molecular genetics and proteomics. In the current article, most recent reports on the protein biomarkers of HBV or HCV-related HCC and their co-evolutionary association with liver cancer are reviewed.

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