non invasive

There are numerous reports suggesting that fibroblast activating protein-α (FAP-α) plays an important role in invasion of various tumor types. We studied the expression pattern of FAP-α in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who had not been treated primarily and those who had received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Our goal was to establish whether readily available tissue specimens fixed in formalin and stored in paraffin blocks for years might still be a source of FAP-α RNA for PCR analysis...

PURPOSE: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been shown to accelerate bone healing and is considered to increase blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess changes in micro-circulation of the foots' soft tissue in response to LIPUS intervention. We hypothesised improved micro-circulation in response to LIPUS. METHODS: Micro-circulation was assessed in 2 mm and 8 mm-deep skin of 50 healthy volunteers using non-invasive laser-doppler spectrophotometry (O2C-device)...

A novel full-inversion-based technique for quantitative ultrasound elastography was investigated in a pilot clinical study on five patients for non-invasive detection and localization of prostate cancer and quantification of its extent. Conventional-frequency ultrasound images and radiofrequency (RF) data (~5 MHz) were collected during mechanical stimulation of the prostate using a transrectal ultrasound probe. Pre and post-compression RF data were used to construct the strain images. The Young's modulus (YM) images were subsequently reconstructed using the derived strain images and the stress distribution estimated iteratively using finite element (FE) analysis...

Degeneration of the intervertebral discs is a progressive cascade of cellular, compositional and structural changes that is frequently associated with low back pain. As the first signs of disc degeneration typically arise in the disc's central nucleus pulposus (NP), augmentation of the NP via hydrogel injection represents a promising strategy to treat early to mid-stage degeneration. The purpose of this study was to establish the translational feasibility of a triple interpenetrating network hydrogel composed of dextran, chitosan, and teleostean (DCT) for augmentation of the degenerative NP in a preclinical goat model...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the urinary outcomes and preservation of erectile function in patients with pelvic fracture related urethral injury (PFUI) after non-transecting spongiosum anastomotic urethroplasty (NTSAU). METHODS: Fifty-nine male patients with PFUI following traumatic pelvic fracture underwent NTSAU. Inclusion criteria were age 18 to 60 years, posterior urethral stenosis < 2.5 cm without previous urethroplasty, and intact erectile function. Exclusion criteria were previous history of open urethroplasty, long segment posterior urethral stenosis (>2...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Small bowel and colorectal muscle biopsies require a surgical approach. Advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of motility disorders, such as functional bowel disorders, intestinal pseudo-obstruction and slow transit constipation, is hindered by our inability to non-invasively obtain muscularis propria (MP) for evaluation of multiple cell types, including myenteric neurons. The aims of this study were to determine (1) technical feasibility, reproducibility and safety of performing duodenal endoscopic muscle biopsy (dEMB) and rectal endoscopic muscle biopsy (rEMB) using a clip-assist technique; and (2) presence of myenteric neurons in tissue samples...

Ectopic pregnancies account for 1.5-2% of all pregnancy in the United States. Of these, approximately 10 percent implant in non-tubal locations, including the abdominal cavity, cervix, ovary, interstitial portion of the fallopian tube, broad ligament, the uterine cornua, or within a cesarean section scar. Because these pregnancies tend to present later than typical tubal pregnancies, they have been associated with greater maternal morbidity and mortality. Advances in ultrasound technology have allowed for earlier diagnosis of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies, which in turn has led to the development of novel minimally invasive techniques to manage them...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a robotic surgical platform can complement the fine motor skills of the non-dominant hand, compensating for the innate difference in dexterity between the surgeon's hands, thereby conferring virtual ambidexterity. DESIGN: Crossover intervention study. DESIGN CLASSIFICATION: Level II-1 evidence. SETTING: Centers for medical simulation of two tertiary care hospitals of Harvard Medical School...

This study explores the feasibility of prospectively assessing infant dehydration using four non-invasive, optical sensors based on the quantitative and objective measurement of various clinical markers of dehydration. The sensors were investigated to objectively and unobtrusively assess the hydration state of an infant based on the quantification of capillary refill time (CRT), skin recoil time (SRT), skin temperature profile (STP) and skin tissue hydration by means of infrared spectrometry (ISP). To evaluate the performance of the sensors a clinical study was conducted on a cohort of 10 infants (aged 6-36 months) with acute gastroenteritis...

Dynamic properties of cancer cells, most notably their ability to migrate, have been correlated successfully with their invasive nature in vivo. To establish a stronger experimental basis for such a correlation we subjected five different cancer cell lines of well-defined metastatic potential to a sequence of three independent assays reporting on three different aspects of cell dynamics, namely (1) the kinetics of cell spreading, (2) cell shape fluctuations, and (3) cell migration. The sequentially applied assays correspond to different measuring modes of the well-established ECIS technique that is based on non-invasive and label-free impedance readings of planar gold-film electrodes that serve as the growth substrate for the cells under study...

BACKGROUND: A high quality integrated process in the clinical setting of non-neutropenic critically ill patients at risk for invasive candidiasis is a necessary tool to improve the management of these patients. AIMS: To identify the key points on invasive candidiasis in order to develop a set of recommendations with a high level of consensus required for the creation of a total quality integrated process for the management of non-neutropenic critically ill patients at risk of invasive candidiasis...

Optimal obstetric and neonatal care requires the provision of adequate analgesia for painful procedures. However, anesthetic and analgesic agents have the potential to adversely impact the developing fetal/neonatal brain. In this setting, clinicians must assess the risks and benefits of pharmacologic anesthesia and analgesia for specific indications in this population. General anesthesia is required for non-obstetric surgery and cesarean section in the absence of neuraxial anesthesia for the health of the mother and fetus...

The research here presented aims at developing a new, promising method for the imaging diagnostics of breast lesions - ultrasound tomography (UST). A currently implemented device enables the reconstruction three complementary images for each coronal breast section. Based on in vivo breast examination, the authors developed an approach to breast diagnostics which employs ultrasound transmission and reflection tomography imaging. The obtained transmission images of ultrasound speed distribution show good correlation of glandular tissue areas with their visualization on MRI images...

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To assess the possible association between a validated Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and specific dietary components with suitable non-invasive markers of liver status in overweight and obese subjects within the PREDIMED study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study encompassing 794 randomized overweight and obese participants (mean ± SD age: 67.0 ± 5.0 y, 55% females) from the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) trial was conducted...

The aim of our study was to investigate children's exposure to the flame retardants polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by analysing faecal content, a non-invasive matrix, as well as responses to an exposure-assessment questionnaire. A convenience sample of 61 parents with children (aged >3 months to <2 years) completed an online pre-tested questionnaire and provided faecal samples for analysis by high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. BDE-209 was the dominant congener in faecal samples adjusted to 8...

Endosulfan, an organochlorine (OC) insecticide, is a widely used agricultural pesticide, despite its life threatening toxic effects. In this review, the pharmacokinetics of endosulfan, mechanism of endosulfan toxicity, clinical presentations and management, histopathological findings, and toxicological analysis are described, in addition to its environmental toxicity. The toxic effects of endosulfan can affect many organs and systems presenting in a wide array of signs and symptoms. Although termed a restricted OC-classed pesticide, it continues to be used, especially in the developing world, owing to its beneficial effects on agriculture...

EEG source localization is determining possible cortical sources of brain activities with scalp EEG. Generally, every step of the data processing sequence affects the accuracy of EEG source localization. In this paper, we introduce a fused multivariate empirical mode decomposing (MEMD) and inverse solution algorithm with an embedded unsupervised eye blink remover in order to localize the epileptogenic zone accurately. For this purpose, we constructed realistic forward models using MRI and boundary element method (BEM) for each patient to obtain results that are more realistic...

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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between chronic kidney disease and primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: Disease outcomes were analyzed in 418 patients treated with transurethral resection for primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and were correlated to traditional risk factors as well as chronic kidney disease stage according to estimated glomerular filtration rate: ≥60 (G1-2), 45-59 (G3a) or <45 (G3b-5). RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 40...

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the Achilles tendon often leads to long-term morbidity, particularly calf weakness associated with tendon elongation. Operative repair of Achilles tendon ruptures leads to reduced tendon elongation. Tendon lengthening is a key problem in the restoration of function following Achilles tendon rupture. A study was performed to determine differences in initial separation, strength and failure characteristics of differing sutures and numbers of core strands in a percutaneous Achilles tendon repair model in response to initial loading...