Cost-effective Imaging Research Articles

Evaluation of Posterior Superior Alveolar Canal in Individuals With Cleft Lip and Palate Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

To evaluate the posterior superior alveolar canal (PSAC) in individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP) by comparing them with individuals with no cleft lip and palate (NC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This is a cross-sectional, analytical study with a prospective sample. CBCT scans of 29 individuals with no cleft and palate (Group I) and 29 individuals with cleft lip and palate (Group II) were used. PSAC was evaluated and compared for its position, diameter, and distance between the individuals with CLP and NC using CBCT scans. The mean age of individuals in Group I and II were 12.93 and 11.82 years, respectively. The distribution of individuals based on gender comprised of 51.7% males and 48.3% females in both the study groups. PSAC was present in both right and left maxillary sinus in 100% of the study subjects of Group I and Group II. The most prevalent position of PSAC in Group I and Group II was on the lower third and middle third of lateral wall of maxillary sinus, respectively. The mean diameter was higher in Group II (1.2962 mm) when compared to Group I (1.0897 mm) which showed statistically significant value (P = .008). The promising results obtained from the present study demonstrates the importance of knowing the precise anatomical location of the PSAC in individuals with cleft lip and palate by using CBCT which is reliable, less time consuming and cost effective imaging tool.

Ultrasound of the Foot and Ankle in Peripheral Spondyloarthritis.

Seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an umbrella term that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis related to inflammatory bowel disease. Apart from AS, these other conditions predominantly affect the appendicular skeleton. Both the foot and ankle are frequently involved peripheral joints. According to the latest Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria, imaging is a key way to diagnose peripheral seronegative SpA. Common imaging features are enthesitis, synovitis, tenosynovitis, erosive and bone-proliferative changes in the affected joints, and effusion.Although magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard technique, ultrasound (US) is a cost-effective imaging method that can readily detect the features just described. Additionally, it can semi-quantify inflammatory changes, helping in treatment and dose modifications. Imaging-guided procedures, such as biopsies and steroid injections, are routinely performed using US. Furthermore, US can easily be deployed at outpatient rheumatology clinics, making it an ideal point-of-care investigation.

Refining MRI Protocols for Endometriosis: A Comparative Study of Abbreviated and Full MRI Sequences.

Endometriosis is a significant cause of chronic abdominal pain and infertility in females, often overlooked due to its resemblance to other abdominopelvic pathologies. This study aims to compare the diagnostic performance and agreement rate between an abbreviated MRI protocol (aMRI) and a full MRI protocol (fMRI) for detecting pelvic endometriosis. We retrospectively analyzed 446 consecutive MRI exams, including both full (fMRI) and abbreviated (aMRI) protocols, performed for suspected pelvic endometriosis. An expert radiologist assessed the presence of endometriosis at 14 distinct anatomical sites. Each MRI protocol was interpreted in random order, with a minimum two-week interval between sessions to minimize recall bias. Agreement between the protocols was evaluated using kappa statistics. The average age of the patients was 34.13 years. The highest incidences of endometriosis were found in the ovaries (88.8%) and the rectouterine pouch (65%). The MRI protocols demonstrated perfect agreement (kappa coefficient = 1) for the ovaries, bladder, uterus, and cesarean section scar. High agreement was also observed in the rectum and uterine ligaments (kappa coefficients of 0.98 and 0.97). Detection of malignant transformation in existing ovarian endometriomas showed substantial concordance with a kappa coefficient of 0.66. An abbreviated non-contrast MRI protocol exhibits diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of a comprehensive protocol in detecting pelvic endometriosis, with similar confidence and reproducibility. This study demonstrates that an abbreviated MRI protocol is as effective as a full protocol in diagnosing pelvic endometriosis, potentially allowing for quicker, cost-effective imaging without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

The Role of High-Resolution Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Nerve Trauma New Perspective: A Preliminary Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Recent Evidence.

Precise localization of peripheral nerve injuries and evaluation of their prognosis based on clinical and electrodiagnostic examinations are particularly challenging in the acute phase. High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) may offer a viable and cost-effective imaging option for assessing the morphology of nerve injuries. Consequently, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the use of ultrasound for diagnosing traumatic nerve injuries were conducted. A total of 15 studies were included, reporting the most recent findings on using HRUS in the diagnosis of traumatic nerve injury. These studies assessed the diagnostic test accuracy of ultrasound for the detection of traumatic nerve injury in 272 participants, with the cross-sectional area at the site of traumatic nerve injury also reported in 1,249 participants. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the included studies were 92% confidence interval (CI) (0.89-0.95) and 86% CI (0.82-0.89), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 13.76 CI (1.41-134.34), 0.08 CI (0.03-0.18), and 286.23 CI (21.22-3,860.40), respectively. In the summary of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve was 0.986, and the Q* index was 0.949. Based on the current literature, HRUS has shown promising results in addition to its availability and feasibility. HRUS can serve as a valuable complement to clinical and electrodiagnostic examinations for diagnosing traumatic peripheral nerve injuries. Further research is recommended to better understand the ultrasound characteristics of these injuries.

Impact of light polarization on laser speckle contrast imaging with a custom phantom for microvascular flow

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive, powerful, and cost-effective imaging technique that has seen widespread adoption across various medical fields, particularly for blood flow imaging. While LSCI provides physicians with valuable insights into changes or occlusions in blood flow, the technique is susceptible to various factors and parameters that can impact measurement sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). These include the scattering of light, which can affect the quality and reliability of the LSCI data. The polarization of light holds significant promise to enhance the performance of LSCI. In this study, we employed polarization manipulation of light to investigate its impact on the performance of LSCI for measuring flow. Focusing on the application of LSCI in microcirculation within capillaries, we examined the effect of polarization control on the technique's flow measurement capabilities using a custom-designed phantom system. This phantom consisted of three tubes with inner diameters of 1.1 mm, 1.6 mm, and 2.8 mm, embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix with optical properties similar to biological tissue. By manipulating the polarization of both the incident and reflected light, alternating between parallel and perpendicular states, we compared the performance of our LSCI system in detecting flow for different tube diameters and depths within the phantom. Our study revealed that while depth is a critical parameter influencing flow detection using LSCI, employing perpendicular polarization (between incident and reflected light) resulted in the lowest measurement error and highest SNR compared to parallel polarization and the absence of polarization control.

Multiple myeloma: What is the most cost-effective imaging strategy for initial detection of bone lesions?

To determine the cost-effectiveness of different imaging modalities for initial detection of multiple myeloma (MM)-defining bone lesions. A Markov model from the health care system perspective for patients with MGUS was used to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of five imaging techniques: skeletal survey (SS), low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), positron emission computed tomography (PETCT), and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) with and without diffusion (DIFF). Model inputs, including probabilities, utilities, and costs were obtained from comprehensive literature review. Costs were estimated in 2024 U.S. dollars, effectiveness was measured in quality adjusted life years (QALYs), willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set to $100,000/QALY, and timeframe of the simulation was 20years. Model analyses included Monte Carlo microsimulation and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA). The most cost-effective imaging strategy was dependent on the number of patient risk factors for progression from MGUS to myeloma. At a WTP threshold of $100,000, for patients with no risk factors for progression, LDCT amassed the greatest net monetary benefit (NMB) ($1,030,913.57) while incurring the second lowest costs ($44,870.73). For patients with 1 or 2 risk factors for progression, WBMRI + DIFF amassed the greatest NMB (1 risk factor: $802,637.30, 2 risk factors: $664,430.36). WBMRI and PETCT were absolutely dominated in all cases. PSA also found that the most cost-effective strategy was dependent on the WTP threshold. Our model suggests that LDCT and WBMRI + DIFF can be the most cost-effective imaging strategies for the initial diagnosis of MM in patients, depending on the number of risk factors for progression.

3D Map Combined with Transthoracic Echocardiography for Ablation of Premature Ventricular Contractions/Ventricular Arrhythmia from Papillary Muscle: A Technical Report.

Ventricular arrhythmias originating from the papillary muscle of the ventricles are complex clinical problems. Catheter ablation has the potential to cure these arrhythmias. However, the procedure is usually challenging due to the specific anatomy, catheter instability and difficulty in localization of the origin of the arrhythmias. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has been reported to be the suitable imaging method for assessing the location of focus in papillary muscles. We used transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as a noninvasive cost-effective imaging supporting modality, in combination with 3D mapping to guide the exact localization and successful ablation of papillary muscle-originating premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Simultaneous Imaging of Temperature and Oxygen by Utilizing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence and Phosphorescence of a Single Indicator.

Chemical gradients are essential in biological systems, affecting processes like microbial activity in soils and nutrient cycling. Traditional tools, such as microsensors, offer high-resolution data but are limited to one-dimensional measurements. Planar optodes allow for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) chemical imaging but are often sensitive to temperature changes. This study presents an advanced dual-emission optical sensor that simultaneously measures temperature and oxygen using a modified platinum(II) meso-tetrakis(3,5-ditert-butylphenyl)-tetra(2-tert-butyl-1,4-naphthoquinono)porphyrin. The ratio between thermally activated delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence was optimized by modifying platinum(II) naphthoquinonoporphyrin with tert-butyl groups which simultaneously improved solubility in apolar solvents and polymer matrix (polystyrene). This dual-function sensor enables two-parameter chemical imaging with a consumer-grade RGB camera or a hyperspectral camera. We demonstrated 2D visualization of temperature and oxygen distribution in a model soil system. The RGB camera provided rapid and cost-effective imaging, while the hyperspectral camera offered more detailed spectral information despite some limitations. Our findings revealed the formation of a stable temperature gradient and oxygen depletion, driven by water content and temperature-sensitive microbial activity. This dual O2/T sensor, with further potential improvements, shows considerable promise for advanced multiparameter sensing in complex biological and environmental studies, providing deeper insights into dynamic microenvironments.

Lesion conspicuity and contrast kinetics as predictors to differentiate benign and malignant breast lesions in contrast-enhanced mammogram

BackgroundContrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a recently developed, cost-effective imaging technique that offers both anatomical and functional breast imaging. Lesion conspicuity, a newly introduced lexicon in the ACR BIRADS supplementary atlas on CEM (2022), lacks sufficient data to correlate with malignancy likelihood. The feasibility of assessing contrast kinetics with CEM remains uncertain, and there is a scarcity of available data. Our research aims to address these gaps.ResultsTwo radiologists, blinded to pathological reports, independently evaluated 504 CEM enhanced breast lesions with histopathology reports, out of which 176 were benign and 328 were malignant. Subjective qualitative assessment of lesion conspicuity and contrast kinetics was done for each enhancing lesion. The lesion conspicuity was classified as low, moderate, or high. The kinetic behavior of each lesion was categorized into either persistent, plateau, or washout. The distribution of lesion conspicuity among benign and malignant lesions, respectively, was as follows: for low conspicuity, 74.4% versus 25.6%; for moderate conspicuity, 30.6% versus 69.4%; and for high conspicuity, 8.4% versus 91.6%. Regarding contrast kinetics and their distribution between benign and malignant lesions, persistent kinetics was detected in 95.6% compared to 4.4%, plateau kinetics in 43.4% versus 56.6%, and washout kinetics in 3.5% versus 96.5%. Statistically significant differences in distribution between benign and malignant lesions were observed for both lexicons (P < 0.001). The inter-observer agreement for lesion conspicuity (kappa = 0.97) and contrast kinetics (kappa = 0.92) was deemed excellent.ConclusionThe addition of lesion conspicuity and contrast kinetics as lexicons in CEM could enhance its diagnostic accuracy.

Off-axis digital lensless holographic microscopy based on spatially multiplexed interferometry.

Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) is a label-free microscopy technique that provides time-resolved quantitative phase imaging (QPI) by measuring the optical path delay of light induced by transparent biological samples. DHM has been utilized for various biomedical applications, such as cancer research and sperm cell assessment, as well as for in vitro drug or toxicity testing. Its lensless version, digital lensless holographic microscopy (DLHM), is an emerging technology that offers size-reduced, lightweight, and cost-effective imaging systems. These features make DLHM applicable, for example, in limited resource laboratories, remote areas, and point-of-care applications. In addition to the abovementioned advantages, in-line arrangements for DLHM also include the limitation of the twin-image presence, which can restrict accurate QPI. We therefore propose a compact lensless common-path interferometric off-axis approach that is capable of quantitative imaging of fast-moving biological specimens, such as living cells in flow. We suggest lensless spatially multiplexed interferometric microscopy (LESSMIM) as a lens-free variant of the previously reported spatially multiplexed interferometric microscopy (SMIM) concept. LESSMIM comprises a common-path interferometric architecture that is based on a single diffraction grating to achieve digital off-axis holography. From a series of single-shot off-axis holograms, twin-image free and time-resolved QPI is achieved by commonly used methods for Fourier filtering-based reconstruction, aberration compensation, and numerical propagation. Initially, the LESSMIM concept is experimentally demonstrated by results from a resolution test chart and investigations on temporal stability. Then, the accuracy of QPI and capabilities for imaging of living adherent cell cultures is characterized. Finally, utilizing a microfluidic channel, the cytometry of suspended cells in flow is evaluated. LESSMIM overcomes several limitations of in-line DLHM and provides fast time-resolved QPI in a compact optical arrangement. In summary, LESSMIM represents a promising technique with potential biomedical applications for fast imaging such as in imaging flow cytometry or sperm cell analysis.

Twist Angle-Dependent Phonon Hybridization in WSe2/WSe2 Homobilayer.

The emerging moiré superstructure of twisted transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) leads to various correlated electronic and optical properties compared to those of twisted bilayer graphene. In such a versatile architecture, phonons can also be renormalized and evolve due to atomic reconstruction, which, in turn, depends on the twist angle. However, observing this reconstruction and its relationship to phonon behavior with conventional, cost-effective imaging methods remains challenging. Here, we used noninvasive Raman spectroscopy on twisted WSe2/WSe2 (t-WSe2) homobilayers to examine the evolution of phonon modes due to interlayer coupling and atomic reconstruction. Unlike in the natural bilayer (NB), ∼0° as well as ∼60° t-WSe2 samples, the nearly degenerate A1g/E2g mode in the twisted samples (1-7°) split into a doublet in addition to the nondegenerate B2g mode, and the maximum splitting is observed around 2-3°. Our detailed theoretical calculations qualitatively capture the splitting and its dependence as a function of the twist angle and highlight the role of the moiré potential in phonon hybridization. Additionally, we found that around the 2° twist angle, the anharmonic phonon-phonon interaction is higher than the natural bilayer and decreases for larger twist angles. Interestingly, we observed anomalous Raman frequency softening and line-width increase with the decreasing temperature below 50 K, pointing to the combined effect of enhanced electron-phonon coupling and cubic anharmonic interactions in moiré superlattice.

Role of Shear Wave Elastography for Assessment of Renal-Allograft Fibrosis and its Correlation With Histopathology.

To investigate whether shear wave elastography (SWE) can accurately identify interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) in chronic renal allograft injury (CRAI) and whether it can differentiate between different grades of IFTA. Prospective observational study on renal transplant recipients who presented with CRAI. Patient selection was done on the basis of clinical presentation, serum creatinine, and eGFR levels. Biopsy and SWE were performed and SWE values were correlated with histopathological findings according to Banff schema. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was also analyzed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of SWE. Sxity-one patients were evaluated. Ten patients had no IFTA, 33 patients had mild IFTA, 16 patients had moderate IFTA, and 2 patients had severe IFTA. Mean parenchymal stiffness values in no IFTA, mild IFTA, moderate IFTA and severe IFTA were 39.86 ± 2.17 kPa (3.64 ± 0.09 m/s), 41.59 ± 3.36 kPa (3.71 ± 0.15 m/s), 47.59 ± 3.34 kPa (3.98 ± 0.14 m/s), and 53.83 ± 1.41 kPa (4.25 ± 0.03 m/s), respectively. SWE values of parenchymal stiffness reached statistical significance to differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe IFTA. ROC analysis revealed cut-off values of 45.09 kPa (3.89 m/s) to differentiate between mild IFTA and moderate IFTA, 52.06 kPa (4.18 m/s) to differentiate between moderate IFTA and severe IFTA with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. SWE is a non-invasive and cost-effective imaging tool to evaluate the disease status of renal allografts affected by CRAI. Thus, it can be of paramount importance if added to the regular follow-up imaging protocol of renal allograft along with grayscale and Doppler imaging.

Deep Learning for Pneumonia Detection in Chest X-ray Images: A Comprehensive Survey.

This paper addresses the significant problem of identifying the relevant background and contextual literature related to deep learning (DL) as an evolving technology in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the application of DL to the specific problem of pneumonia detection via chest X-ray (CXR) imaging, which is the most common and cost-effective imaging technique available worldwide for pneumonia diagnosis. This paper in particular addresses the key period associated with COVID-19, 2020-2023, to explain, analyze, and systematically evaluate the limitations of approaches and determine their relative levels of effectiveness. The context in which DL is applied as both an aid to and an automated substitute for existing expert radiography professionals, who often have limited availability, is elaborated in detail. The rationale for the undertaken research is provided, along with a justification of the resources adopted and their relevance. This explanatory text and the subsequent analyses are intended to provide sufficient detail of the problem being addressed, existing solutions, and the limitations of these, ranging in detail from the specific to the more general. Indeed, our analysis and evaluation agree with the generally held view that the use of transformers, specifically, vision transformers (ViTs), is the most promising technique for obtaining further effective results in the area of pneumonia detection using CXR images. However, ViTs require extensive further research to address several limitations, specifically the following: biased CXR datasets, data and code availability, the ease with which a model can be explained, systematic methods of accurate model comparison, the notion of class imbalance in CXR datasets, and the possibility of adversarial attacks, the latter of which remains an area of fundamental research.

Deep learning-based hyperspectral image reconstruction for quality assessment of agro-product

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has recently emerged as a promising tool for many agricultural applications; however, the technology cannot be directly used in real-time for immediate decision-making and actions due to the extensive time needed to capture, process, and analyze large volumes of data. Consequently, the development of a simple, compact, and cost-effective imaging system is not possible with the current HSI systems. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to reconstruct hyperspectral images from RGB images through deep learning for agricultural applications. Specifically, this study used Hyperspectral Convolutional Neural Network - Dense (HSCNN-D) to reconstruct hyperspectral images from RGB images for predicting soluble solid content (SSC) in sweet potatoes. The algorithm reconstructed the hyperspectral images from RGB images, with the resulting spectra closely matching the ground-truth. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model based on reconstructed spectra outperformed the model using the full spectral range, demonstrating its potential for SSC prediction in sweet potatoes. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning-based hyperspectral image reconstruction as a low-cost, efficient tool for various agricultural uses.

Fluorescence microscopy for brain activity imaging: one-photon microscopy and its application to pharmacological research

The development of genetically-encoded fluorescent probes for the detection of intracellular calcium ions and various neurotransmitters has progressed significantly in recent years, and there is a growing need for techniques that rapidly and efficiently image these signals in the living brain for pharmacological studies of the central nervous system. In this article, we discuss one-photon fluorescence microscopy techniques used for brain activity imaging, particularly wide-field imaging and head-mounted miniaturized microscopy, and introduce their basic principles, recent advances, and applications in pharmacological research. Wide-field calcium imaging is suitable for mesoscopic observation of cortical activity during behavioral tasks in head-fixed awake mice, while head-mounted miniaturized microscopes can be attached to the animal's head to image brain activity associated with naturalistic behaviors such as social behavior and sleep. One-photon microscopy allows for the development of a simple and cost-effective imaging system using an affordable excitation light source such as a light-emitting diode. Its excitation light illuminates the entire field of view simultaneously, making it easy to perform high-speed imaging using a high-sensitivity camera. In contrast, the short wavelength of the excitation light limits the field of observation to areas on or near the brain surface due to its strong light scattering. Moreover, the out-of-focus fluorescence makes it difficult to obtain images with a high signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. The use of one-photon microscopy in brain activity imaging has been limited compared to two-photon microscopy, but its advantages have recently been revisited. Therefore, this technique is expected to become a useful method for pharmacologists to visualize the activity of the living brain.

Pulse generators for enhanced magnetomotive ultrasound: Toward a cost-effective imaging for tissue characterization.

Magnetomotive ultrasound (MMUS) stands out as a promising and effective ultrasound-based method for detecting magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) within tissues. This innovative technique relies on the precise estimation of micrometric displacements induced by the interaction of an external magnetic field with MNPs. Pulsed MMUS has emerged as a strategic alternative to address limitations associated with harmonic excitation, such as heat generation in amplifiers and coils, frequency-dependent tissue mechanical responses, and prolonged magnetic field rise times. Despite the growing interest in MMUS, the devices conventionally employed to excite the coil are not specifically tailored to generate intense magnetic fields while minimizing interference with the transient behavior of induced displacements. To bridge this gap, our work introduces the design and fabrication of two pulse generators: one based on a capacitor-discharge circuit and the other on a resonant-inverter circuit. We evaluated the performance of these pulse generators by considering parameters such as the magnetic field generated, rise and fall times, and their ability to supply sustained current for varied pulse widths across different pulse repetition frequencies. Furthermore, we carried out a practical MMUS implementation using tissue-mimicking phantoms, demonstrating the capability of both devices to achieve magnetic fields of up to 1T and average displacements of 25 µm within the phantom. In addition, we estimated the shear wave velocity, effective shear modulus, and their temperature-dependent variations. Our findings highlight the versatility and efficacy of the proposed pulse generators and emphasize their potential as low-cost platforms for theranostic applications, enabling the assessment of targeted entities within biological tissues.

A Rare Manifestation of Migrated Intrauterine Contraceptive Device: A Case Study Highlighting Symptoms and Ultrasound Detection

Ultrasonography is a widely used and cost-effective imaging modality, but its effectiveness can be operator dependent. We present the case of a 29-year-old para 3A woman who experienced intermittent low abdominal pains and skin rash following the insertion of a copper-T intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). Ultrasound, performed by an experienced operator, was crucial in diagnosing a migrated IUCD with adnexal and skin complications. This case highlights the importance of skilled ultrasound operators in detecting migrated IUCDs and associated complications.

DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ULTRASOUND IN DETECTING PERICHOLECYSTIC ADHESIONS IN CHOLELITHIASIS PATIENTS KEEPING PER-OPERATIVE FINDINGS AS THE GOLD STANDARD

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a standard technique for surgical management of cholelithiasis. Dense pericholecystic adhesions pose a primary challenge during the procedure, underscoring the importance of their pre-surgical detection. While ultrasonography remains the gold standard tool for diagnosing cholelithiasis, there is limited data available regarding its diagnostic accuracy in detecting pericholecystic adhesions. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic precision of ultrasound in identifying pericholecystic adhesions. Methods: This study was carried out in the Radiology Department of DHQ Hospital, Narowal, spanning from Jul 2023, to Mar 2024. With a sample size of 138, all patients enrolled in the study underwent fasting abdominal ultrasound to identify the sonographic features of pericholecystic adhesions, including pericholecystic stranding, pericholecystic fluid/exudates, contracted gallbladder lumen, and loss of gall bladder wall/hepatic parenchyma interface. Operative findings were gathered from the Surgery Department for subsequent analysis. Results: Out of the total 138 patients, 53 (38.4%) patients were true positive, 16 (11.6%) were false positive, 49 (35.5%) were true negative and 20 (14.5%) were false negative. Ultrasonography had 72.6% sensitivity, 75.3% specificity, 76.8% positive predictive value, 71.0% negative predictive value, and 73.9% diagnostic accuracy in preoperative prediction of pericholecystic adhesions. Conclusions: Ultrasound remains an accessible and cost-effective imaging tool for identifying pericholecystic adhesions in patients with cholelithiasis. It is a valuable and reliable tool in aiding the selection of most suitable operative technique for cholecystectomy. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(2):27-30

Low-Cost Imaging to Quantify Germination Rate and Seedling Vigor across Lettuce Cultivars.

The survival and growth of young plants hinge on various factors, such as seed quality and environmental conditions. Assessing seedling potential/vigor for a robust crop yield is crucial but often resource-intensive. This study explores cost-effective imaging techniques for rapid evaluation of seedling vigor, offering a practical solution to a common problem in agricultural research. In the first phase, nine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars were sown in trays and monitored using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging thrice weekly for two weeks. The second phase involved integrating embedded computers equipped with cameras for phenotyping. These systems captured and analyzed images four times daily, covering the entire growth cycle from seeding to harvest for four specific cultivars. All resulting data were promptly uploaded to the cloud, allowing for remote access and providing real-time information on plant performance. Results consistently showed the 'Muir' cultivar to have a larger canopy size and better germination, though 'Sparx' and 'Crispino' surpassed it in final dry weight. A non-linear model accurately predicted lettuce plant weight using seedling canopy size in the first study. The second study improved prediction accuracy with a sigmoidal growth curve from multiple harvests (R2 = 0.88, RMSE = 0.27, p < 0.001). Utilizing embedded computers in controlled environments offers efficient plant monitoring, provided there is a uniform canopy structure and minimal plant overlap.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Solid Renal Lesions.

The availability of imaging methods has enabled increased detection of kidney lesions, which are a common clinical problem. It is estimated that more than half of patients over the age of 50 have at least one undetermined mass in the kidney. The appropriate characterization and diagnosis of lesions imaged in the kidney allows for proper therapeutic management. Previously, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used in their extended diagnosis. However, the limitations of these techniques, such as radiation exposure, renal toxicity, and allergies to contrast agents, must be considered. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly being used as an examination to resolve interpretive doubts that arise with other diagnostic methods. Indeed, it can be considered both as a problem-solving technique for diagnosing and distinguishing lesions and as a technique used for observation in preservative treatment. Evaluation of the enhancement curve over time on CEUS examination can help to differentiate malignant renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes that should be resected from benign lesions, such as oncocytoma or angiomyolipoma (AML), in which surgery can be avoided. It allows for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors, renal and pseudotumors, and solid and cystic tumors. Therefore, with recent advances in ultrasound technology, CEUS has emerged as a fast, reliable, and cost-effective imaging tool in the preoperative evaluation and diagnosis of solid renal masses.