Non-invasive Method Research Articles

Revolution in malaria detection: unveiling current breakthroughs and tomorrow’s possibilities in biomarker innovation

The ongoing battle against malaria has seen significant advancements in diagnostic methodologies, particularly through the discovery and application of novel biomarkers. Traditional diagnostic techniques, such as microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), have their limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and the ability to detect low-level infections. Recent breakthroughs in biomarker research promise to overcome these challenges, providing more accurate, rapid, and non-invasive detection methods. These advancements are critical in enhancing early detection, guiding effective treatment, and ultimately reducing the global malaria burden. Innovative approaches in biomarker detection are leveraging cutting-edge technologies like next-generation sequencing (NGS), proteomics, and metabolomics. These techniques have led to the identification of new biomarkers that can be detected in blood, saliva, or urine, offering less invasive and more scalable options for widespread screening. For instance, the discovery of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of infected individuals presents a revolutionary non-invasive diagnostic tool. Additionally, the integration of machine learning algorithms with biomarker data is enhancing the precision and predictive power of malaria diagnostics, making it possible to distinguish between different stages of infection and identify drug-resistant strains. Looking ahead, the future of malaria detection lies in the continued exploration of multi-biomarker panels and the development of portable, point-of-care diagnostic devices. The incorporation of smartphone-based technologies and wearable biosensors promises to bring real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics to even the most resource-limited settings.

A digital volume pulse device-finger photo pulse plethysmography to trace the vascular integrity amongst the low back pain subjects with lumbar disc degenerative diseases diagnosed by MRI analysis.

Finger photo pulse plethysmography is a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive method for measurement of arterial stiffness. The objective is to assess the correlation of arterial stiffness in low back pain subjects with lumbar disc degeneration. Thirty-four back pain patients of both sexes in age group of 30-65 were included. Anthropometric measures like height, body weight, body mass index (BMI) were included. Stiffness index (SI) and reflection index (RI) were measured from the digital volume pulse waveform. There was a negative correlation between SI/RI and no correlation between SI and RI with BMI in both sexes. A significant correlation found between weight and BMI in both sexes. Arterial stiffness may not have any influence on disc degeneration. BMI showed some influence on disc degeneration and back pain.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Clinical Trials on Salivary Biomarkers for Mental Health (2003-2024).

Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, are often difficult to diagnose and monitor using traditional methods. Salivary biomarkers offer a promising alternative due to their non-invasive nature, ease of collection, and the potential to reflect real-time physiological changes associated with mental health. This bibliometric analysis examines 95 clinical trials on stress biomarkers for mental health, published between 2003 and 2024. The field is characterized by extensive collaboration and global participation, involving 593 authors and publications across 73 journals. Despite a consistent annual publication rate, notable increases in 2011, 2014, and 2018 indicate growing research interest. The United States leads in research output, followed by Australia, Germany, and Japan, with Psychoneuroendocrinology being the most prominent journal. Co-occurrence analysis identified nine research clusters, suggesting diverse directions such as the impact of stress-related hormones, circadian rhythms, mindfulness, various therapies, aging, psychological adaptation mechanisms, exercise therapy, anxiety disorders, and the autonomic nervous system on salivary biomarkers. Key terms such as "biomarkers/metabolism," AND "hydrocortisone/metabolism," AND "saliva/metabolism" were central, with significant activity from 2012 to 2018. This analysis highlights a growing focus on the metabolic processes and therapeutic applications of salivary biomarkers in mental health.This bibliometric analysis calls attention to the promising potential of salivary biomarkers to revolutionize mental health diagnostics and treatment through non-invasive methods, fostering interdisciplinary research, technological advancements, and global health improvements.

Progress of clinical research on fractional laser treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A review article.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent form of hair loss that affects both men and women, severely impacting patients' quality of life. Traditional treatments include oral medications, topical medications, and hair transplantation, but these methods have certain side effects and limitations. How to safely effectively and maximally promote hair growth has been a key issue in the treatment of AGA. In recent years, fractionated laser therapy, as a noninvasive method, has gradually gained attention due to its minimally invasive and highly effective nature. In this paper, we summarized the studies related to fractional laser treatment of AGA in the past 15 years, and discussed its therapeutic mechanism, clinical effect, future development direction, and advantages and disadvantages compared with traditional treatment methods in the treatment of AGA. An extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus. All available articles studying fractional laser treatment of AGA were compiled in March 2024. Titles and abstracts were then screened for relevance and thoroughly examined for patient clinical outcomes. Prospective clinical trials, retrospective chart reviews, case series, and individual case reports were included in the literature review. Fractional laser treatment of AGA showed remarkable efficacy and high safety. Compared with traditional treatments, fractional laser has the advantages of minimally invasive, quick recovery, fewer side effects, and a wide range of population applicability, providing an effective treatment option for AGA patients. Further large-scale clinical studies will help optimize the laser parameters and treatment settings to improve the therapeutic effect.

Clinical Profile and Echocardiographic Evaluation of COPD Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks as the fourth leading cause of global mortality, with anticipated increases in prevalence and mortality in the future. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) highlights the importance of considering COPD diagnosis in patients with relevant symptoms or risk factors, confirmed through spirometry. While COPD is preventable and treatable, it often presents with significant extra-pulmonary effects, particularly cardiac manifestations. Echocardiography offers a rapid, noninvasive method to assess these cardiac complications. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical profiles and echocardiographic changes in COPD patients and their correlation with disease severity. Method: Conducted as an observational cross-sectional study, the research took place in the indoor departments of Medicine and Respiratory Medicine at Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, between May 25th, 2017, and November 24th, 2017; enrolling 105 diagnosed COPD patients aged e”18 years. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, risk behavior, and respiratory complaints. Physical examinations, spirometry, and echocardiography were conducted for diagnosis, severity grading, and cardiac evaluation, respectively. Statistical analysis employed SPSS software (version-22), presenting results through frequency, percentage, tables, graphs, and figures. Result: The study population was predominantly male (88.6%) with a mean age of 64.1 years. Most patients (94.2%) were smokers with a mean pack-year history of 22.03. All patients presented with cough and shortness of breath, and 88.5% had wheezing. Spirometry revealed moderate COPD in 40% of patients, with a distribution across all severity grades. Echocardiography showed abnormalities in 52.4% of patients, with tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular dilatation being the most frequent findings. A significant correlation was observed between C OPD severity and the presence of these echocardiographic abnormalities. Conclusion: Clinical examination unveiled common respiratory findings, while echocardiography demonstrated diverse cardiac manifestations in COPD patients. A significant proportion of patients exhibited normal findings on X-ray and echocardiography. The study highlights the prevalence of moderate COPD severity and the association between very severe COPD and specific cardiac complications, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment and management strategies for COPD patients. J MEDICINE 2024; 25: 115-120

The synergy of morphokinetic parameters and sHLA-G in cleavage embryo enhancing implantation rates

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between implantation and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) expression in cleavage embryo culture medium (ECM) in conjunction with early developmental kinetics determined by time-lapse imaging (TLI).Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted involving 238 embryos from 165 patients who underwent Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) using autologous oocytes, with either single or double embryo transfer. TLI morphokinetic parameters (t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, t7, t8, cc2, s2, cc3, s3) of embryos were analyzed, and sHLA-G levels in D3 ECM were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A hierarchical classification model was developed to categorize embryos into five groups (A, B, C, D, E). The correlation between sHLA-G levels, TLI classification of embryos, and embryo implantation was investigated to establish a non-invasive method for evaluating implantation potential. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential influencing factors, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value for implantation.Results: Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis indicated that TLI parameters t5 and s3 and sHLA-G level in ECM were independent risk factors affecting embryo implantation. The implantation rate decreased from TLI classification A to E. The proposed classification model effectively assessed the implantation potential of embryos. The implantation rate was higher in the sHLA-G positive group compared to the sHLA-G negative group (p < 0.001). The expression of sHLA-G in D3 ECM, combined with the TLI classification model, accurately evaluated the implantation potential of embryos with an AUC of 0.876.Conclusion: The integration of cleavage kinetics and embryonic sHLA-G expression could reliably identify embryos with a high likelihood of successful implantation.

Flow inefficiencies in non-obstructive HCM revealed by left ventricular kinetic energy and hemodynamic force analysis from 4D flow CMR

Abstract Background Patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) exhibit myocardial changes which may cause flow inefficiencies not detectable on echocardiogram. We investigated whether left ventricular (LV) kinetic energy (KE) and hemodynamic forces (HDF) on 4D-flow CMR provide more sensitive measures of flow in non-obstructive HCM. Methods 90 participants (70 non-obstructive HCM and 20 healthy controls) underwent 4D-flow CMR. Patients were categorized as phenotype positive (P+) based on maximum wall thickness (MWT) ≥15mm or ≥13mm for familial HCM, or pre-hypertrophic sarcomeric variant carriers (P-). LV KE and HDF were computed from 4D-flow CMR. Stroke work was computed using a previously valdated non-invasive method. Results P+, P- and controls had comparable diastolic velocities and LV outflow gradients on echocardiography, LV ejection fraction and stroke volume on CMR. P+ had greater stroke work than P-, higher systolic KE compared to controls (5.8vs4.1mJ, p=0.0009), and higher late diastolic KE relative to P- and controls (2.6vs1.4vs1.9 mJ, p<0.0001 respectively). MWT was associated with systolic KE (r=0.5, p<0.0001) and diastolic KE (r=0.4, p=0.005), which also correlated with stroke work. Systolic HDF ratio was increased in P+ compared to controls (1.0vs0.8, p=0.03) and correlated with MWT (r=0.3, p=0.004). Diastolic HDF was similar between groups. Sarcomeric variant status was not associated with KE or HDF. Conclusion Despite normal flow velocities on echocardiography, non-obstructive HCM exhibited greater stroke work, systolic KE and HDF ratio, and late diastolic KE relative to controls. 4D-flow CMR provides more sensitive measures of hemodynamic inefficiencies in HCM, holding promise for clinical trials of novel therapies and clinical surveillance of non-obstructive HCM.

The Association of Arterial Pulse Wave Velocity with Internal Carotid Artery Blood Flow in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study

BackgroundArteriosclerosis significantly impacts cardiovascular health. Pulse wave velocity has emerged as a valuable non-invasive method for assessing arterial stiffness. A negative association between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and cerebral blood flow has been reported, suggesting a link between arterial stiffness and reduced cerebral blood flow. We aimed to determine whether a correlation exists between cfPWV and blood flow in the internal carotid artery (ICA) and to assess the influence of age and body mass index (BMI) on cfPWV in healthy individuals.MethodsThirty-six healthy subjects (23 males and 13 females) with no underlying medical conditions and who were not on regular medications were enrolled in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the cfPWV using Vicorder® software. ICA blood flow parameters were measured using high-resolution ultrasound. ICA diameter was measured using automated edge-detection software.ResultsSignificant positive correlations were found between cfPWV and age (Spearman’s rho coefficient 0.33, p = 0.04), BMI (Spearman’s rho coefficient 0.32, p = 0.05), and ICA diameter (Pearson’s coefficient 0.35, p = 0.03). No significant correlations were observed between cfPWV and ICA peak systolic velocities (PSV; p = 0.22), or resistive index (RI; p = 0.76), nor between age and ICA diameter (p = 0.42), PSV (p = 0.09), or RI (p = 0.89).ConclusionOur findings demonstrate a positive correlation between arterial stiffness, age, and BMI in a healthy population, along with an association between increased ICA diameter and arterial stiffness. The lack of correlation between cfPWV and ICA blood flow parameters suggests that the ICA may dilate as a compensatory mechanism to mitigate the effects of increased arterial stiffness, ensuring optimal cerebral blood flow in healthy individuals.

Particle Matter determination in Biosimilar Parenteral Product by the Application of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Followed by Statistical Evaluation

Particulate matter in parenteral dosage forms can emerge from numerous causes, external, intrinsic, as well as inherent within the product, with a special emphasis on biopharmaceuticals. Aqueous impurities, pharmaceutical precipitates, dirt, glass, rubber, pollutants from the environment, fibres, and various other insoluble materials are all common sources of particulates. When assessing the possible harm to patients, particulate matter size is a crucial issue to consider. Particles as fine as 2 μm overall diameter were found related with microthrombi development. The DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) technique has been used to measure and control the subvisible particulate particles in biopharmaceutical parenteral drug products since the technique can measure the submicron particle size in the parenteral formulation. The purpose of using DLS is to measure and control the subvisible particles in a biopharmaceutical formulation. A generic biopharmaceutical product viz. Calcitonin Salmon injection was used for particulate matter analysis by using Dynamic Light Scattering. DLS is a non-invasive method for detecting the size of suspended particles as well as molecules which is used for the control and optimization of processes, and the improvement of product quality and performance by analysing the time-dependence in regard to intensity of the dispersed light (auto correlation) to determine the diffusion speed (Brownian motion) of particles/molecules, and subsequently determine the hydrodynamic size. Keywords: Particulate matter; DLS; Biosimilars; Parenteral dosage forms

A Sarmatian necropolis discovered in the Răut river basin (Republic of Mol¬dova), through non-invasive research

Field research with non-invasive methods completes the database of archaeological sites in the Prut-Dniester interfluve. is also the case of a new discovery made in the Răut river basin, near the locality of Cașunca (Florești district), where as a result of magnetometric prospecting of a series of tumuli a flat necropolis from the Sarmatian period was discovered. The necropolis contains 23 square ritual structures and 63 circular and oval grave pits. It is worth mentioning that such works have never been done before in the Răut river basin and the new discovery completes the database with information on the presence of Sarmatian communities in the North Pontic region.

A novel approach to brain tumor detection using K-Means++, SGLDM, ResNet50, and synthetic data augmentation

Introduction: Brain tumors are abnormal cell growths in the brain, posing significant treatment challenges. Accurate early detection using non-invasive methods is crucial for effective treatment. This research focuses on improving the early detection of brain tumors in MRI images through advanced deep-learning techniques. The primary goal is to identify the most effective deep-learning model for classifying brain tumors from MRI data, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reliability.Methods: The proposed method for brain tumor classification integrates segmentation using K-means++, feature extraction from the Spatial Gray Level Dependence Matrix (SGLDM), and classification with ResNet50, along with synthetic data augmentation to enhance model robustness. Segmentation isolates tumor regions, while SGLDM captures critical texture information. The ResNet50 model then classifies the tumors accurately. To further improve the interpretability of the classification results, Grad-CAM is employed, providing visual explanations by highlighting influential regions in the MRI images.Result: In terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, the evaluation on the Br35H::BrainTumorDetection2020 dataset showed superior performance of the suggested method compared to existing state-of-the-art approaches. This indicates its effectiveness in achieving higher precision in identifying and classifying brain tumors from MRI data, showcasing advancements in diagnostic reliability and efficacy.Discussion: The superior performance of the suggested method indicates its robustness in accurately classifying brain tumors from MRI images, achieving higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to existing methods. The method's enhanced sensitivity ensures a greater detection rate of true positive cases, while its improved specificity reduces false positives, thereby optimizing clinical decision-making and patient care in neuro-oncology.

Absolute values of regional ventilation-perfusion mismatch in patients with ARDS monitored by electrical impedance tomography and the role of dead space and shunt compensation

BackgroundAssessment of regional ventilation/perfusion (V′/Q) mismatch using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) represents a promising advancement for personalized management of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, accuracy is still hindered by the need for invasive monitoring to calibrate ventilation and perfusion. Here, we propose a non-invasive correction that uses only EIT data and characterized patients with more pronounced compensation of V′/Q mismatch.MethodsWe enrolled twenty-one ARDS patients on controlled mechanical ventilation. Cardiac output was measured invasively, and ventilation and perfusion were assessed by EIT. Relative V′/Q maps by EIT were calibrated to absolute values using the minute ventilation to invasive cardiac output (MV/CO) ratio (V′/Q-ABS), left unadjusted (V′/Q-REL), or corrected by MV/CO ratio derived from EIT data (V′/Q-CORR). The ratio between ventilation to dependent regions and perfusion reaching shunted units (VD′\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{V}}_{{\ ext{D}}}^{\\prime }$$\\end{document}/QSHUNT) was calculated as an index of more effective hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. The ratio between perfusion to non-dependent regions and ventilation to dead space units (QND/VDS′\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\ ext{V}}_{{{\ ext{DS}}}}^{\\prime }$$\\end{document}) was calculated as an index of hypocapnic pneumoconstriction.ResultsOur calibration factor correlated with invasive MV/CO (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), showed good accuracy and no apparent bias. Compared to V′/Q-ABS, V′/Q-REL maps overestimated ventilation (p = 0.013) and perfusion (p = 0.002) to low V′/Q units and underestimated ventilation (p = 0.011) and perfusion (p = 0.008) to high V′/Q units. The heterogeneity of ventilation and perfusion reaching different V′/Q compartments was underestimated. V′/Q-CORR maps eliminated all these differences with V′/Q-ABS (p > 0.05). Higher VD′/QSHUNT\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$V_{D}^{\\prime } /Q_{SHUNT}$$\\end{document} correlated with higher PaO2/FiO2 (r = 0.49, p = 0.025) and lower shunt fraction (ρ = − 0.59, p = 0.005). Higher QND/VDS′\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$Q_{ND} /V_{DS}^{\\prime }$$\\end{document} correlated with lower PEEP (ρ = − 0.62, p = 0.003) and plateau pressure (ρ = − 0.59, p = 0.005). Lower values of both indexes were associated with less ventilator-free days (p = 0.05 and p = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionsRegional V′/Q maps calibrated with a non-invasive EIT-only method closely approximate the ones obtained with invasive monitoring. Higher efficiency of shunt compensation improves oxygenation while compensation of dead space is less needed at lower airway pressure. Patients with more effective compensation mechanisms could have better outcomes.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in systemic sclerosis: Heart involvement in high-resolution.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the gold-standard non-invasive method of assessing cardiac structure and function, including tissue characterisation. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), heart involvement (SHI) is a leading cause of mortality yet remains poorly understood. SHI is underestimated by conventional echocardiography, and CMR provides an important opportunity to better identify and quantify subtle myocardial changes including oedema and fibrosis. This review summarises current CMR techniques, the role of CMR in SSc and SHI, and the opportunities to further our understanding of its pathogenesis and management.

Myocardial work alterations with progressive left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is frequently observed in patients with hypertension (HTN). LV myocardial work (MW) has recently emerged as a non-invasive method to assess systolic myocardial deformation relative to afterload conditions. The authors investigated the characteristics of myocardial work with different degrees of LVH in HTN patients. From December 2020 to February 2024, 255 HTN patients and 26 healthy controls undergoing transthoracic echocardiography were included in the current study. Hypertension patients were divided into quintile groups based on left ventricular mass index (LVMI), for the first to fourth LVMI quantiles, global work index (GWI) and global constructive work (GCW) were higher compared to the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the sixth LVMI quantile, GWI and GCW showed a significant decrease. The restricted cubic splines showed that both GWI and GCW exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship with LVMI. A LVMI of >151.39g/m2 could accurately predict reduction both in GWI and GCW (Sensitivity: 0.78, Specificity: 0.89, AUC: 0.90, P <.001; Sensitivity: 0.81, Specificity: 0.92, AUC: 0.92, P <.001, respectively). As LVH progressed in HTN patients, both GWI and GCW initially demonstrated an increase, followed by a subsequent decrease. Myocardial work provides additional insights into assessment of cardiac function in HTN patients.

What Not to Overlook in the Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Nephrological and Hepatological Perspectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly impacts renal and hepatic function, necessitating comprehensive understanding and management strategies. Renal involvement, namely diabetic kidney disease (DKD), presents a global challenge, with increasing prevalence paralleling DM rates. Lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy targeting hypertension and glycemic control have pivotal roles in DKD management. Concurrently, hepatic involvement in DM, characterized by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), presents a bidirectional relationship. DM exacerbates MASLD progression, while MASLD predisposes to DM development and worsens glycemic control. Screening for MASLD in DM patients is of high importance, utilizing non-invasive methods like ultrasound and fibrosis scores. Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and a Mediterranean diet, mitigate MASLD progression. Promising pharmacotherapies, like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, demonstrate efficacy in both DM and MASLD management. Special populations, such as diabetic individuals undergoing hemodialysis or kidney transplant recipients, demand special care due to unique clinical features. Similarly, DM exacerbates complications in MASLD patients, elevating the risks of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recognizing the interconnectedness of DM, renal, and hepatic diseases underscores the need for multidisciplinary approaches for optimal patient outcomes. The present review aims to present the main characteristics and crucial points not to be overlooked regarding the renal and hepatic involvement in DM patients focusing on the inter-relationships between the renal and the hepatic involvements.

Blood-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Promising Liquid Biopsy Diagnostic Tool for Early Cancer Detection

Cancer poses a significant public health challenge worldwide, and timely screening has the potential to mitigate cancer progression and reduce mortality rates. Currently, early identification of most tumors relies on imaging techniques and tissue biopsies. However, the use of low-cost, highly sensitive, non-invasive detection methods for early cancer screening has become more attractive. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) released by all living cells contain distinctive biological components, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. These vesicles play crucial roles in the tumor microenvironment and intercellular communication during tumor progression, rendering liquid biopsy a particularly suitable method for diagnosis. Nevertheless, challenges related to purification methods and validation of efficacy currently hinder its widespread clinical implementation. These limitations underscore the importance of refining isolation techniques and conducting comprehensive investigations on EVs. This study seeks to evaluate the potential of liquid biopsy utilizing blood-derived EVs as a practical, cost-effective, and secure approach for early cancer detection.

A non-invasive screening method using Caenorhabditis elegans for early detection of multiple cancer types: A prospective clinical study

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, surpassed only by cardiovascular diseases. Early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes. However, finding a universal, non-invasive, economical, and precise method for early cancer detection remains a significant challenge. This study explores the efficacy of an innovative cancer detection test, N-NOSE, leveraging a Caenorhabditis elegans olfactory assay on urine samples across a diverse patient group exceeding 1600 individuals diagnosed with various cancers, with samples from the Shikoku Cancer Center (Ehime, Japan) under approved ethical standards. Current cancer screening techniques often require invasive procedures, can be painful or complex, with poor performance, and might be prohibitively costly, limiting accessibility for many. N-NOSE addresses these challenges head-on by offering a test based on urine analysis, eliminating the need for invasive methods, and being more affordable with higher performance at early stages than extensive blood tests or comprehensive body scans for cancer detection. In this study, N-NOSE demonstrated a capability to accurately identify upwards of 20 cancer types, achieving detection sensitivities between 60 and 90 %, including initial-stage cancers. The findings robustly advocate for N-NOSE's potential as a revolutionary, cost-effective, and minimally invasive strategy for broad-spectrum early cancer detection. It is also particularly significant in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to advanced cancer diagnostic methods, which may contribute to the improved outcome of affected individuals.

Electric field temporal interference stimulation of neurons in vitro.

Electrical stimulation (ES) techniques, such as deep brain and transcranial electrical stimulation, have shown promise in alleviating the symptoms of depression and other neurological disorders in vivo. A new noninvasive ES method called temporal interference stimulation (TIS), possesses great potential as it can be used to steer the stimulation and possibly selectively modulate different brain regions. To study TIS in a controlled environment, we successfully established an in vitro 'TIS on a chip' setup using rat cortical neurons on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) in combination with a current stimulator. We validated the developed TIS system and demonstrated the spatial steerability of the stimulation by direct electric field measurements in the chip setup. We stimulated cultures of rat cortical neurons at 28 days in vitro (DIV) by two-channel stimulation delivering 1) TIS at 653 Hz and 643 Hz, resulting in a 10 Hz frequency envelope, 2) low-frequency stimulation (LFS) at 10 Hz and 3) high-frequency stimulation (HFS) at 653 Hz. Unstimulated cultures were used as control/sham. We observed the differences in the electric field strengths during TIS, HFS, and LFS. Moreover, HFS and LFS had the smallest effects on neuronal activity. Instead, TIS elicited neuronal electrophysiological responses, especially 24 hours after stimulation. Our 'TIS on a chip' approach eludicates the applicability of TIS as a method to modulate neuronal electrophysiological activity. The TIS on a chip approach provides spatially steerable stimuli while mitigating the effects of high stimulus fields near the stimulation electrodes. Thus, the approach opens new avenues for stimulation on a chip applications, allowing the study of neuronal responses to gain insights into the potential clinical applications of TIS in treating various brain disorders.

Terpene-based novel invasomes: pioneering cancer treatment strategies in traditional medicine.

Health care workers have faced a significant challenge because of the rise in cancer incidence around the world during the past 10 years. Among various forms of malignancy skin cancer is most common, so there is need for the creation of an efficient and safe skin cancer treatment that may offer targeted and site-specific tumor penetration, and reduce unintended systemic toxicity. Nanocarriers have thus been employed to get around the issues with traditional anti-cancer drug delivery methods. Invasomes are lipid-based nanovesicles having small amounts of terpenes and ethanol or a mixture of terpenes and penetrate the skin more effectively. Compared to other lipid nanocarriers, invasomes penetrate the skin at a substantially fasterrate. Invasomes possess a number of advantages, including improved drug effectiveness, higher compliance, patient convenience, advanced design, multifunctionality, enhanced targeting capabilities, non-invasive delivery methods, potential for combination therapies, and ability to overcome biological barriers,. These attributes position invasomes as a promising and innovative platform for thefuture of cancer treatment. The current review provides insights into invasomes, with a fresh organizational scheme and incorporates the most recent cancer research, including their composition, historical development and methods of preparation, the penetration mechanism involving effect of various formulation variables and analysis of anticancer mechanism and the application of invasomes.

Exosomal miRNAs in prenatal diagnosis: Recent advances.

Exosomes, small membranous microvesicles released by cells, contain a range of bioactive molecules, including proteins and miRNAs, which play critical roles in intercellular communication and physiological and pathological processes. Current research suggests that exosomal miRNAs could serve as valuable biomarkers for prenatal diseases, offering a noninvasive method for early detection and monitoring. Studies linking exosomal miRNAs to various birth defects, including fetal growth restriction, urinary tract malformations, cardiovascular system malformations, and hereditary diseases like Down syndrome, were discussed. However, there are some conflicting study findings due to different exosome separation methods. Here, we also discussed exosome separation methods, emphasizing the importance of method selection based on specific purposes and sample types. Further studies are needed to standardize isolation techniques, understand the specific mechanisms underlying exosomal miRNA function, and develop reliable noninvasive prenatal diagnostic indicators. Overall, exosomal miRNAs show promise as potential biomarkers for prenatal diagnosis, but further research is necessary to validate their clinical utility.