Non-invasive Diagnostic Method Research Articles

Classification, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Obesity-Related Heart Diseases.

Evidence-based medicine shows that obesity is associated with a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Obesity can lead to changes in cardiac structure and function, which can lead to obese cardiomyopathy, subclinical cardiac dysfunction, and even heart failure. It also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Many invasive and noninvasive diagnostic methods can detect obesity-related heart disease at an early stage, so that appropriate measures can be selected to prevent adverse CV events. However, studies have shown a protective effect of obesity on clinical outcomes of CV disease, a phenomenon that has been termed the obesity paradox. The "obesity paradox" essentially refers to the fact that the classification of obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) does not consider the impact of obesity heterogeneity on CV disease prognosis, but simply puts subjects with different clinical and biochemical characteristics into the same category. In any case, indicators such as waist-to-hip ratio, ectopic body fat qualitative and quantitative, and CV fitness have been shown to be able to distinguish different CV risks in patients with the same BMI, which is convenient for early intervention in an appropriate way. A multidisciplinary approach, including lifestyle modification, evidence-based generic and novel pharmacotherapy, and surgical intervention, can improve CV outcomes in overweight/obese patients.

18F-ASEM PET/MRI targeting alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor can reveal skeletal muscle denervation

BackgroundThe increased expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in muscle denervation is thought to be associated with electrophysiological acetylcholine supersensitivity after nerve injury. Hence, we investigated the utility of the 18F-ASEM alpha7-nAChR targeting radiotracer as a new diagnostic method by visualizing skeletal muscle denervation in mouse models of sciatic nerve injury.MethodsTen-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were utilized. The mice were anesthetized, and the left sciatic nerve was resected after splitting the gluteal muscle. One week (n = 11) and three weeks (n = 6) after the denervation, 18F-ASEM positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) was acquired. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the tibialis anterior muscle were measured for the denervated side and the control side. Autoradiographic evaluation was performed to measure the mean counts of the denervated and control tibialis anterior muscles at one week. In addition, immunohistochemistry was used to identify alpha7-nAChR-positive areas in denervated and control tibialis anterior muscles at one week (n = 6). Furthermore, a blocking study was conducted with methyllycaconitine (MLA, n = 5).Results18F-ASEM PET/MRI showed significantly increased 18F-ASEM uptake in the denervated tibialis anterior muscle relative to the control side one week and three weeks post-denervation. SUVmax of the denervated muscles at one week and three weeks showed significantly higher uptake than the control (P = 0.0033 and 0.0277, respectively). The relative uptake by autoradiography for the denervated muscle was significantly higher than in the control, and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly greater alpha7-nAChR expression in the denervated muscle (P = 0.0277). In addition, the blocking study showed no significant 18F-ASEM uptake in the denervated side when compared to the control (P = 0.0796).ConclusionsOur results suggest that nAChR imaging with 18F-ASEM has potential as a noninvasive diagnostic method for peripheral nervous system disorders.

Texture analysis of CT- and MR-Images in the differential diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma: a review

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous group of diseases. The most common type of RCC is clear cell RCC. Tumor biopsy is the «gold» standard for verifying the diagnosis, however, it can be unsatisfactory due to the characteristic heterogeneity of the RCC structure. Non-invasive diagnostic methods — computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging — in combination with the use of texture analysis can potentially provide a large amount of information about the structure of the kidney tumor and the presumed degree of its differentiation (grade).OBJECTIVE: Тo analyze publications devoted to texture analysis in RCC, the possibilities and prospects of using this method to increase the information content of CT and MR studies.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our review presents data obtained from available sources PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, published up to March 2022 inclusive, found using the keywords: renal cell carcinoma, CT, MRI, texture analysis, radiomics in Russian and English.RESULTS: The literature review describes the methods of texture analysis: selection of the region of interest, modality and contrast phase of the study, diagnostic aim. Based on the results of published scientific papers, the authors conclude that the use of texture analysis makes it possible to predict the grade of RCC with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, as well as to make a differential diagnosis of RCC with other kidney neoplasias, primarily lipid poor angiomyolipomas.CONCLUSION: The use of texture analysis based on published materials is extremely promising for non-invasive prediction of RCC grade and its differential diagnosis, however, the difference in methods and the lack of standardization of texture analysis requires additional research.

The advancement of echocardiography through evolutionary development

Echocardiography, a non-invasive diagnostic method that offers insights into cardiac structure, function, and hemodynamics, has emerged as a key component of cardiovascular medicine. In a span of less than five decades, this technique has undergone significant evolution, becoming one of the most commonly utilized cardiovascular diagnostic tests after electrocardiography. This article provides a concise overview of the evolutionary development of different forms of echocardiography.

Study of the optic nerve in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy by shear-wave elastography

To investigate the clinical value of two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) in detecting optic nerve elasticity and in-frame adipose tissue elasticity in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR). 2D-SWE was used to detect SWE values of the optic nerve and adipose tissue in adjacent optic nerve frames in 30 healthy participants, 30 patients with diabetic non-retinopathy (NDR), 35 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 30 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The correlation between SWE values and blood glucose, blood lipid, age, body mass index (BMI) was analysed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for SWE values. The SWE values of the optic nerve and in-frame adipose tissue increased with the progression of DR, and analysis of variance was compared with groups: the SWE values of the optic nerve and in-frame adipose tissue in each group were significantly different (all p<0.001). The SWE values of the optic nerve and in-frame adipose tissue correlated positively with BMI, age, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose, and correlated negatively with high-density lipoprotein. The SWE values of the optic nerve and in-frame adipose tissue had higher diagnostic efficacy. The combination of the two had higher diagnostic accuracy. The elastic modulus of optic nerve and in-frame adipose tissue can effectively predict and grade of DR, that is, 2D-SWE can be used as a non-invasive imaging diagnostic method for DR. The combined diagnostic efficacy of optic nerve SWE value and in-frame adipose tissue SWE value is significantly better than that of single use. This study found that increased BMI, age, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose, and decreased high-density lipoprotein are risk factors for DR.

Beyond invasive biopsies: using VASARI MRI features to predict grade and molecular parameters in gliomas

BackgroundGliomas present a significant economic burden and patient management challenge. The 2021 WHO classification incorporates molecular parameters, which guide treatment decisions. However, acquiring these molecular data involves invasive biopsies, prompting a need for non-invasive diagnostic methods. This study aims to assess the potential of Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) MRI features to predict glioma characteristics such as grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status.MethodsThis study enrolled 107 glioma patients treated between 2017 and 2022, meeting specific criteria including the absence of prior chemotherapy/radiation therapy, and the presence of molecular and MRI data. Images were assessed using the 27 VASARI MRI features by two blinded radiologists. Pathological and molecular assessments were conducted according to WHO 2021 CNS Tumor classification. Cross-validation Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (CV-LASSO) logistic regression was applied for statistical analysis to identify significant VASARI features in determining glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status.ResultsThe study demonstrated substantial observer agreement in VASARI feature evaluation (inter- and intra-observer κ = 0.714 - 0.831 and 0.910, respectively). Patient imaging characteristics varied significantly with glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation. A predictive model was established using VASARI features for glioma grade prediction, exhibiting an AUC of 0.995 (95% CI = 0.986 – 0.998), 100% sensitivity, and 92.86% specificity. IDH mutation status was predicted with AUC 0.930 (95% CI = 0.882 - 0.977), and improved slightly to 0.933 with 'age-at-diagnosis' added. A model predicting MGMT methylation had a satisfactory performance (AUC 0.757, 95% CI = 0.645 - 0.868), improving to 0.791 when 'age-at-diagnosis' was added.ConclusionsThe T1/FLAIR ratio, enhancement quality, hemorrhage, and proportion enhancing predict glioma grade with excellent accuracy. The proportion enhancing, thickness of enhancing margin, and T1/FLAIR ratio are significant predictors for IDH mutation status. Lastly, MGMT methylation is related to the longest diameter of the lesion, edema crossing the midline, and the proportion of the non-enhancing lesion. VASARI MRI features offer non-invasive and accurate predictive models for glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status, enhancing glioma patient management.

Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma and non-pigmented choroidal melanoma: clinical, instrumental and molecular genetic features

This study attempts to develop a method of non-invasive molecular genetic differential diagnostics of CCH and non-pigmented CM. Based on the results of clinical and instrumental examination methods, 60 patients (60 eyes) with CCH (n=30) and non-pigmented CM (n=30) were included in this prospective study. The control group consisted of 30 individuals without intraocular tumors. Mutations in the GNAQ/GNA11 genes were determined by real-time PCR using the analysis of genomic circulating tumor DNA isolated from peripheral blood plasma. The average follow-up period was 12.1±1.8 months. The study revealed a significant association of mutations in exons 4 and 5 of the GNAQ/GNA11 genes with the presence of non-pigmented CM (27/30; 90%). These mutations were not detected in the group of patients with CCH. Mutations in exons 4 and 5 of the GNAQ/GNA11 genes were also not detected in the control group of healthy individuals. This study proposes a method of non-invasive and low-cost differential diagnostics based on molecular genetic analysis and detection of mutations in exons 4 and 5 of the GNAQ and GNA11 genes, which are specific for CM (90%).

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease Based on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

As a major global health concern, coronary artery disease (CAD) demands precise, noninvasive diagnostic methods like cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for effective assessment and management, balancing the need for accurate disease severity evaluation with improved treatment decision-making. Our objective was to develop and validate a nomogram based on CPET parameters for noninvasively predicting the severity of CAD, thereby assisting clinicians in more effectively assessing patient conditions. This study analyzed 525 patients divided into training (367) and validation (183) cohorts, identifying key CAD severity indicators using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A predictive nomogram was developed, evaluated by average consistency index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), confirming its reliability and clinical applicability. In our study, out of 25 variables, 6 were identified as significant predictors for CAD severity. These included age (OR = 1.053, P < .001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL, OR = 0.440, P = .002), hypertension (OR = 2.050, P = .007), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.435, P < .001), anaerobic threshold (AT, OR = 0.837, P < .001), and peak kilogram body weight oxygen uptake (VO2/kg, OR = 0.872, P < .001). The nomogram, based on these predictors, demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy for assessing CAD severity, with AUC values of 0.939 in the training cohort and 0.840 in the validation cohort, and also exhibited significant clinical utility. The nomogram, which is based on CPET parameters, was useful for predicting the severity of CAD and assisted in risk stratification by offering a personalized, noninvasive diagnostic approach for clinicians.

Positron emission tomography probes for stem cell monitoring: a review.

Stem cells possess unique self-renewal and differentiation capacities, that are central to cell replacement and tissue regeneration. The therapeutic potential of stem cell applications has garnered increasing attention in recent years for a spectrum of human diseases, from ischemic disorders to oncological challenges. Despite their potential, a comprehensive understanding of the biological behavior, efficacy, and safety of these cells remains elusive, hindering their clinical adoption. This review focuses on the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as a cutting-edge tool for bridging this knowledge gap. PET imaging, a noninvasive diagnostic method, has been highlighted for its ability to monitor cellular dynamics after stem cell transplantation. A variety of molecular probes within the PET framework enable the longitudinal and quantitative evaluation of post-transplant cellular behavior. This discourse systematically delineates various PET probes specifically designed for the in vivo tracking of the stem cell life cycle. These probes offer a pathway to a deeper understanding and more precise evaluation of stem cell behavior post-transplantation. Implementing PET imaging probes can revolutionize the clinical understanding of stem cell behavior, advancing and widening clinical therapeutic applications.

Recent advances of biocompatible optical nanobiosensors in liquid biopsy: towards early non-invasive diagnosis.

Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive diagnostic method that can reduce the risk of complications and offers exceptional benefits in the dynamic monitoring and acquisition of heterogeneous cell population information. Optical nanomaterials with excellent light absorption, luminescence, and photoelectrochemical properties have accelerated the development of liquid biopsy technologies. Owing to the unique size effect of optical nanomaterials, their improved optical properties enable them to exhibit good sensitivity and specificity for mitigating signal interference from various molecules in body fluids. Nanomaterials with biocompatible and optical sensing properties play a crucial role in advancing the maturity and diversification of liquid biopsy technologies. This article offers a comprehensive review of recent advanced liquid biopsy technologies that utilize novel biocompatible optical nanomaterials, including fluorescence, colorimetric, photoelectrochemical, and Raman broad-spectrum-based biosensors. We focused on liquid biopsy for the most significant early biomarkers in clinical medicine, and specifically reviewed reports on the effectiveness of optical nanosensing technology in the detection of real patient samples, which may provide basic evidence for the transition of optical nanosensing technology from engineering design to clinical practice. Furthermore, we introduced the integration of optical nanosensing-based liquid biopsy with modern devices, such as smartphones, to demonstrate the potential of the technology in portable clinical diagnosis.

Beyond imaging: a systematic exploration of radiomics in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment assessment

Breast cancer&amp;apos;s heterogeneity poses significant challenges in its diagnosis and treatment, necessitating advancements in non-invasive diagnostic methods. Radiomics, an emerging field that leverages mathematical analysis of medical imaging, offers the potential for designing personalized treatment strategies in breast cancer care. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current research on the application of radiomics in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment assessment, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for systematic reviews protocol, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases and grey literature. The review included peer-reviewed articles published in 2015 onward, focusing exclusively on studies involving MRI imaging in radiomics. The studies were categorized into four themes including tumor subtype classification, prediction of pathologically complete response, detection of lymph node metastasis, and prediction of recurrence. The review included 48 articles, revealing significant insights into the use of radiomics for breast cancer analysis. These studies highlighted the superiority of MRI, particularly with 3T scanners and multiparametric protocols in radiomic analysis. The findings underscore the potential of combining radiomics with clinical data for enhanced prediction accuracy in tumor characterization, treatment response, and recurrence risk. The review also illuminated the importance of intratumor heterogeneity, as well as the challenges associated with image acquisition, segmentation, and feature extraction in radiomic studies. Radiomics in MRI shows considerable promise in advancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, aligning with the goals of personalized medicine.

Analysis of the Correlation between Cholesterol Levels in Blood Using Clinical Data and Hair Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a technique that visualizes the distribution of molecules by ionizing the components on the surface of a sample and directly detecting them. Previously, MSI using hair has primarily been used in the forensic field to detect illegal drugs. On the other hand, there are few examples of using this technology for health monitoring. In this study, hair and clinical data were collected from 24 subjects, and the correlation between blood cholesterol levels and cholesterol detected from cross-sectional hair slices was analyzed. As a result, a positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.43 was observed between blood cholesterol and cholesterol detected from hair. Furthermore, when comparing the results of fluorescence staining (FS) of hair cholesterol with Filipin III and the MSI results, it was found that while FS could visualize detailed hair structures, there were cases where the results differed from MSI, possibly due to some cholesterol loss during the staining process. In the future, if various disease biomarkers can be detected using hair MSI, it could potentially become a non-invasive diagnostic method.

Salivary biomarkers in non-invasive oral cancer diagnostics: a comprehensive review.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of saliva as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for oral cancer. Despite progress in oral cancer diagnosis and prognosis, the 5-year survival rate remains low due to the resistance to treatment and delayed diagnosis, which can be attributed to various factors including tobacco and alcohol consumption, genetic damage, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The potential use of saliva as an easily accessible non-invasive screening and diagnostic method arises from its direct contact with the lesion site. Data for this study were gathered via a comprehensive literature evaluation using search engines such as the PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and SciFinder. Identifying salivary biomarkers shows potential to transform oral cancer diagnostics by offering a reliable alternative to the traditional invasive methods. Saliva is an abundant reservoir for both cell-bound and cell-free organic and inorganic constituents. Thus, saliva is an appropriate field for research in proteomics, genomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics. This review provides a comprehensive elucidation of salivary biomarkers and their function in non-invasive oral cancer diagnosis, demonstrating their potential to enhance patient outcomes and reduce the impact of this devastating disease.

Histologic Alterations in Salivary Glands Post Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology – A Diagnostic Challenge

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is used widely in the initial workup and diagnosis of both palpable and deep-seated masses. Salivary glands are among the most commonly aspirated locations in the head and neck area. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, safe and non-invasive ancillary diagnostic method that is relatively atraumatic. However, it can lead to histologic changes that may obscure the underlying pathology or mislead the unwary to render an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy. The tissue changes after FNAC include haemorrhage, squamous cell metaplasia, infarction and necrosis and needle track tumour seeding. Although tissue changes induced by FNAC are rare and account for only 7% and 10 % cases, awareness of these alterations will prevent the pathologist from overestimating the diagnosis. The aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of recognizing the histologic changes induced by FNAC and of obtaining the clinical history of a preoperative FNA procedure to avoid potential misdiagnosis.

The role of asymmetry and volume of thrombotic masses in the formation of local deformation of the aneurysmal-altered vascular wall: An in vivo study and mathematical modeling.

Currently, the primary factor indicating the necessity of an operation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the diameter at its widest part. However, in practice, a large number of aneurysm ruptures occur before reaching a critical size. This means that the mechanics of aneurysm growth and remodeling have not been fully elucidated. This study presents a novel method for assessing the elastic properties of an aneurysm using an ultrasound technique based on tracking the oscillations of the vascular wall as well as the inner border of the thrombus. Twenty nine patients with AAA and eighteen healthy volunteers were considered. The study presents the stratification of a group of patients according to the elastic properties of the aneurysm, depending on the relative volume of intraluminal thrombus masses. Additionally, the neural network analysis of CT angiography images of these patients shows direct (r = 0.664271) correlation with thrombus volume according to ultrasound data, the reliability of the Spearman correlation is p = 0.000215. The use of finite element numerical analysis made it possible to reveal the mechanism of the negative impact on the AAA integrity of an asymmetrically located intraluminal thrombus. The aneurysm itself is considered as a complex structure consisting of a wall, intraluminal thrombus masses, and areas of calcification. When the thrombus occupies > 70% of the lumen of the aneurysm, the deformations of the outer and inner surfaces of the thrombus have different rates, leading to tensile stresses in the thrombus. This poses a risk of its detachment and subsequent thromboembolism or the rupture of the aneurysm wall. This study is the first to provide a mechanistic explanation for the effects of an asymmetrical intraluminal thrombus in an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The obtained results will help develop more accurate risk criteria for AAA rupture using non-invasive conventional diagnostic methods.

Advancements in understanding substantia nigra hyperechogenicity via transcranial sonography in Parkinson's disease and its clinical implications.

Amidst rising Parkinson's disease (PD) incidence in an aging global population, the need for non-invasive and reliable diagnostic methods is increasingly critical. This review evaluates the strategic role of transcranial sonography (TCS) in the early detection and monitoring of PD. TCS's ability to detect substantia nigra hyperechogenicity offers profound insights into its correlation with essential neuropathological alterations-namely, iron accumulation, neuromelanin depletion, and glial proliferation-fundamental to PD's pathophysiology. Our analysis highlights TCS's advantages, including its non-invasiveness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, positioning it as an invaluable tool for early diagnosis and continual disease progression monitoring. Moreover, TCS assists in identifying potential risk and protective factors, facilitating tailored therapeutic strategies to enhance clinical outcomes. This review advocates expanding TCS utilization and further research to maximize its diagnostic and prognostic potential in PD management, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the disease.

Use of transient elastography for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis evaluation in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

To evaluate the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using the noninvasive diagnostic methods transient hepatic elastography (TE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. This was a cross-sectional study including women with confirmed spontaneous subclinical hypothyroidism and an age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control group without thyroid disease or circulating antithyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies. Exclusion criteria were age > 65 years, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) > 10.0 mIUI/L, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, diabetes, or other chronic liver diseases. Liver stiffness was classified according to TE values (in kPa) and ranged from absence of fibrosis (F0) to advanced fibrosis (F3). Hepatic steatosis was classified according to CAP values (in dB/m) and ranged from low-grade (S1) to advanced (S3) steatosis. Of 68 women enrolled, 27 were included in the subclinical hypothyroidism group and 41 in the control group. Advanced steatosis (S3) was more frequent in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (25.9% versus 7.3%, respectively, p = 0.034). Circulating anti-TPO was an independent factor associated with advanced steatosis (odds ratio 9.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3-68.3). In multiple linear regression analysis, TE values (which evaluated fibrosis) correlated negatively with free thyroxine levels. The results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that hepatic steatosis is associated with autoimmune (positive anti-TPO) subclinical hypothyroidism, independently from BMI. However, subclinical hypothyroidism alone does not appear to be associated with a significantly increased risk of hepatic fibrosis.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ ИНДЕКСА ТЯЖЕСТИ И ИНДЕКСА НЕОДНОРОДНОСТИ ПЕРФУЗИИ МИОКАРДА ДЛЯ ОЦЕНКИ ПЭТ-ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ С РУБИДИЕМ-82.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common causes of mortality both in Russia and worldwide, which necessitates the development of diagnostic methods for detecting and localizing pathology in coronary vessels at the earliest stages. Among the non-invasive diagnostic methods, one of the most common and effective is myocardial perfusion imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which, however, only allows for semi-quantitative assessment. Quantitative assessment is possible using positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), including the use of 82Rb-chloride as a tracer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying the SPECT technique proposed by Ansheles et al. in 2015, for the detection of early perfusion abnormalities, analyze the results obtained, and determine the differences in the use of the 15-segment and 17-segment myocardial division schemes in PET with rubidium-82 chloride. Materials and methods: PET studies with rubidium-82 chloride were conducted on 10 patients with symptoms of CAD but without coronary artery stenosis according to coronary angiography. Perfusion severity indices and perfusion heterogeneity indices were calculated for each patient using both the standard 17-segment model and the previously proposed 15-segment model. Results: Statistically significant differences between the 17-segment and 15-segment models were only observed when assessing the heterogeneity index at rest; in other cases, no statistically significant differences were found between the two models, indicating the possibility of using the 15-segment model for calculating quantitative parameters. Both models showed a lack of correlation between perfusion severity indices during rest and stress studies, which may allow for the use of this index in evaluating the presence of microvascular abnormalities. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women in the analysis of these indices...

Retinopatia cukrzycowa – diagnostyka i leczenie

The article discusses the epidemiology of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, risk factors, pathogenesis and invasive and non-invasive diagnostic methods in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, the current guidelines for ophthalmic treatment in diabetic patients have been described.

The Predicting the Value of Local Individual Minimal Erythema Dose without Test Ultraviolet Irradiation

The article substantiates the need for a prognostic approach and formulates the problem to assessing minimal erythema dose (MED) in dermatology without UV test exposure. Arguments are given in favor of using a number of optical non-invasive diagnostic methods for this purpose. The photosensitivity of human skin to ultraviolet radiation is determined by its optical and morphological parameters, as well as the reactivity of the skin microvasculature. These values can be determined before treatment; therefore, it is theoretically possible to predict an individual MED for healthy and psoriasis-affected skin. The article substantiates possible methods and approaches for solving this problem, proposes an optical model of the skin, and describes the proposed research protocol.