Non-invasive Investigation Research Articles

Simulation-aided infrared thermography with decomposition-based noise reduction for detecting defects in ancient polyptychs

In recent years, the conservation and protection of ancient cultural heritage have received increasing attention, and non-destructive testing (NDT), which can minimize the damage done to the test subject, plays an integral role therein. For instance, NDT through active infrared thermal imaging can be applied to ancient polyptychs, which can realize accurate detection of damage and defects existing on the surface and interior of the polyptychs. In this study, infrared thermography is used for non-invasive investigation and evaluation of two polyptych samples with different pigments and artificial defects, but both reproduced based on a painting by Pietro Lorenzetti (1280/85–1348) using the typical tempera technique of the century. It is noted that, to avoid as far as possible secondary damages done to the ancient cultural heritages, repeated damage-detection experiments are rarely carried out on the test subjects. To that end, numerical simulation is used to reveal the heat transfer properties and temperature distributions, as to perform procedural verification and reduce the number of experiments that need to be conducted on actual samples. Technique-wise, to improve the observability of the experimental results, a total variation regularized low-rank tensor decomposition algorithm is implemented to reduce the background noise and improve the contrast of the images. Furthermore, the efficacy of image processing is quantified through the structural-similarity evaluation.

Logarithmic total variation regularization via preconditioned conjugate gradient method for sparse reconstruction of bioluminescence tomography

Background and objectiveBioluminescence Tomography (BLT) is a powerful optical molecular imaging technique that enables the noninvasive investigation of dynamic biological phenomena. It aims to reconstruct the three-dimensional spatial distribution of bioluminescent sources from optical measurements collected on the surface of the imaged object. However, BLT reconstruction is a challenging ill-posed problem due to the scattering effect of light and the limitations in detecting surface photons, which makes it difficult for existing methods to achieve satisfactory reconstruction results. In this study, we propose a novel method for sparse reconstruction of BLT based on a preconditioned conjugate gradient with logarithmic total variation regularization (PCG-logTV). MethodThis PCG-logTV method incorporates the sparsity of overlapping groups and enhances the sparse structure of these groups using logarithmic functions, which can preserve edge features and achieve more stable reconstruction results in BLT. To accelerate the convergence of the algorithm solution, we use the preconditioned conjugate gradient iteration method on the objective function and obtain the reconstruction results. We demonstrate the performance of our proposed method through numerical simulations and in vivo experiment. Results and conclusionsThe results show that the PCG-logTV method obtains the most accurate reconstruction results, and the minimum position error (LE) is 0.254mm, which is 26%, 31% and 34% of the FISTA (0.961), IVTCG (0.81) and L1-TV (0.739) methods, and the root mean square error (RMSE) and relative intensity error (RIE) are the smallest, indicating that it is closest to the real light source. In addition, compared with the other three methods, the PCG-logTV method also has the highest DICE similarity coefficient, which is 0.928, which means that this method can effectively reconstruct the three-dimensional spatial distribution of bioluminescent light sources, has higher resolution and robustness, and is beneficial to the preclinical and clinical studies of BLT.

Quantitative Electroencephalography Objectivity and Reliability in the Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.

Background. Persons with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may exhibit short- and long-term cognitive deficits as well as psychiatric symptoms. These symptoms often reflect functional anomalies in the brain that are not detected by standard neuroimaging. In this context, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) is more suitable to evaluate non-normative activity in a wide range of clinical settings. Method. We searched the literature using the "Medline" and "Web of Science" online databases. The search was concluded on February 23, 2023, and revised on July 12, 2023. It returned 134 results from Medline and 4 from Web of Science. We then applied the PRISMA method, which led to the selection of 31 articles, the most recent one published in March 2023. Results. The qEEG method can detect functional anomalies in the brain occurring immediately after and even years after injury, revealing in most cases abnormal power variability and increases in slow (delta and theta) versus decreases in fast (alpha, beta, and gamma) frequency activity. Moreover, other findings show that reduced beta coherence between frontoparietal regions is associated with slower processing speed in patients with recent mild TBI (mTBI). More recently, machine learning (ML) research has developed highly reliable models and algorithms for the detection of TBI, some of which are already integrated into commercial qEEG equipment. Conclusion. Accumulating evidence indicates that the qEEG method may improve the diagnosis and management of TBI, in many cases revealing long-term functional anomalies in the brain or even neuroanatomical insults that are not revealed by standard neuroimaging. While FDA clearance has been obtained only for some of the commercially available equipment, the qEEG method allows for systematic, cost-effective, non-invasive, and reliable investigations at emergency departments. Importantly, the automated implementation of intelligent algorithms based on multimodally acquired, clinically relevant measures may play a key role in increasing diagnosis reliability.

Noninvasive investigation of dysphagia by auscultation of acoustics of deglutition by high impedance earphones placed in the ear canals

This ongoing investigation is utilizing basic communication hardware originally distributed by Radio Shack. The earphones in these devices can work as microphones, receiving vocal utterances through the pharyngeal tissue. We are investigating the potential of such systems to monitor normal and abnormal swallowing sounds just like medical personnel monitor the heart and the lungs by auscultating with stethoscopes. Compared to regular passive stethoscopes, our setup permits stable location, signal amplification, noise filtration, digital storage, post-processing, and statistical analyses of the acoustics of deglutition. Initial findings of this study will be presented. The limitations of this study and future course of action will be discussed.

Study of Comparison of conventional ultrasound, RMI 4 score and CT imaging in diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer confirmed by surgical-pathological findings

Background: Ovarian cancer; 5th commonest cancer among Nepalese women is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer related death. Proper diagnostic studies therefore assist Gyne-oncologist for appropriate surgery and chemotherapeutic planning, there by optimizing the patient prognosis. Objective of current study was to compare ultrasonography imaging, CT imaging, CA 125 value, RMI 4 score and surgical staging in diagnosis of ovarian cancer correlated with histo-pathological findings. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospective observational study, carried out between 14th April 2019 to 16th October 2021, in the department of surgical oncology (Gynecology oncology unit), B.P Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur. Results: 53 patient data were included in the observation. The efficacy of Ultrasound (sensitivity-90.90%, Specificity-60%) and CT (sensitivity-100%, specificity-65%) gave the best result in non-invasive investigations; whereas surgical staging (sensitivity- 96.96%, specificity- 90%) gave the better result when invasive modalities were considered. RMI 4 score had sensitivity 96.96% and specificity 60%. Conclusion: All modalities had good diagnostic performances and complemented each other in further defining the characterization of the ovarian mass, local spread and distant tumor dissemination.

Non-invasive investigation of the morphology and optical properties of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea with optical coherence tomography.

The jellyfish Cassiopea largely cover their carbon demand via photosynthates produced by microalgal endosymbionts, but how holobiont morphology and tissue optical properties affect the light microclimate and symbiont photosynthesis in Cassiopea remain unexplored. Here, we use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study the morphology of Cassiopea medusae at high spatial resolution. We include detailed 3D reconstructions of external micromorphology, and show the spatial distribution of endosymbionts and white granules in the bell tissue. Furthermore, we use OCT data to extract inherent optical properties from light-scattering white granules in Cassiopea, and show that granules enhance local light-availability for symbionts in close proximity. Individual granules had a scattering coefficient of µs = 200-300 cm-1, and scattering anisotropy factor of g = 0.7, while large tissue-regions filled with white granules had a lower µs = 40-100 cm-1, and g = 0.8-0.9. We combined OCT information with isotopic labelling experiments to investigate the effect of enhanced light-availability in whitish tissue regions. Endosymbionts located in whitish tissue exhibited significantly higher carbon fixation compared to symbionts in anastomosing tissue (i.e. tissue without light-scattering white granules). Our findings support previous suggestions that white granules in Cassiopea play an important role in the host modulation of the light-microenvironment.

Digital imaging to unveil traditional craft methods

To understand the creation and the function of a Flemish oil on panel, non-invasive technical investigations including UV, IRR, X-ray and µ-XRF have been used as a method to unveil its specific material features. The undated and unsigned panel has been attributed to The Master of the Female Half-Lengths possibly active during the early 16th Century, due to its stereotype motif, materials and dimensions. The analysis reveals that the panel has several damages due to natural and forced interventions. The painting process shows various inconsistencies, interpreted with the aid of literary sources as a product of a workshop adapted to producing art as a response to the great demand of Flemish panels from the blooming Early Dutch art market.

A Multi-Analytical Diagnostic on an Outdoor Wall Painting: The Study on the Déesis of St. Maria Annunziata’s Church, Motta San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria, Italy)

This article concerns the diagnostic campaign aimed at analyzing the mural painting representing the iconographic theme of the Deesis of the Church of St. Maria Annunziata, Motta San Giovanni, in the province of Reggio Calabria. In 1951, a flood caused the collapse of the building and the consequent breaking of the apse into two parts. The present study focused on the left side of the apse, hosting the figures of Christ and Mary, in order to plan the best conservation intervention strategy. For this purpose, non-invasive investigations and laboratory analytical methods were conducted in order to characterize the constituent materials and to identify the forms of alteration and degradation present on the surface of the painting. In particular, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled to the chemical analysis by an EDS probe, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ion chromatography were employed. The results highlighted the presence of a single layer of plaster made with a lime-based binder. The chromatic palette of the painting is characterized by ochres and carbon black mixed with lime to obtain the different shades. Finally, the definition of the nature of the deposits and of the overlaid materials was fundamental in order to identify the best products and methods to restore the readability of the work.

Non-invasive investigations of closed landfills: An example in a karstic area

The monitoring of existing landfills is a pending environmental issue for the years to come. This monitoring is particularly challenging in the more and more common case of closed landfills, where direct investigation is difficult or impossible, calling for non-invasive methods, which in turn are stretched to maximizing their imaging capabilities in front of difficult logistical constraints, requiring novel and well-conceived scientific approaches. In this study we present a non-invasive approach designed and calibrated to identify the state of the subsoil underlying a closed urban waste landfill. In the presented case, two main questions had to be addressed: (a) whether large karstic cavities are present under the landfill, and (b) if any leachate leakage is present. A 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) configuration was used to solve the problem. The survey design has made use of forward model simulations, in order to verify whether the proposed approach was capable of imaging the possible large karstic cavities. This preliminary study showed the importance of choosing a suitable measurement protocol to recover the true position of the cavities. The analysis of the real field data did not show any anomaly compatible with the presence of large cavities, and thus, in comparison with the previous simulations, led to the conclusion that such cavities are not present. However, the results showed the presence of an electrically conductive anomaly, potentially be linked to leachate release. Direct investigations (drilling and sampling) confirmed the presence of fresh water in a silty sediment environment, both contributing towards the observed larger electrical conductivity, larger than the surrounding drier limestone bedrock. The presented general approach proved to be a valuable, generalizable, tool towards for the characterization and monitoring of closed landfills.

External Reflection FTIR Spectroscopy Applied to Archaeological Pottery: A Non-Invasive Investigation about Provenance and Firing Temperature

The mineralogical composition of archaeological pottery is closely related to the raw material and the firing conditions, thus constituting a source of information both on the origin and the manufacturing technology of ceramic artefacts. The techniques used to clarify the composition of the ceramic material from the point of view of the mineralogical phases include X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and petrographic analysis. Such techniques normally require the taking of a sample from the object, thus often limiting their applicability to sherds rather than intact vessels. The present study aims to investigate the possibility of applying reflection FTIR spectroscopy in the mid- and near-IR to the non-invasive analysis of the mineralogical composition of archaeological pottery, with reference to a set of Etruscan ceramic materials from the excavation of Tarquinia (Italy).

157 Budget impact analysis of Holter monitors provision in an outpatient clinic

Abstract Background Outpatient clinic attendees (aged >64) commonly present with falls, dizziness, syncope and palpitations. The most common non-invasive investigation ordered includes continuous ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring, namely the Holter monitor. The clinic is outsourcing Holter monitor requests to the Cardiology Department, with a long waiting list. If the patient wishes the test to be done sooner in a private hospital, it costs between 160 to 295 euros, covered by the patient’s private healthcare insurance. Methods A budget analysis was carried out to further evaluate by provisioning 5 Holter monitors in the outpatient clinic to quicken patient turnover and reduce the cardiology department waiting list. The intervention scope was limited to the designated clinic of approximately 450 patients a month. The intervention is not for generating revenue for the clinic. The budget analysis doesn’t include sensitivity analysis from the best-case towards worst-case scenarios of Holter frequency usage and duration of Holter monitoring. The objectives of the proposed change are to lessen the turnaround time by 20% for the patients from being assessed until discharge from the clinic without having delayed investigation of the Holter monitor, to have a timely and accurate diagnosis of suspected arrhythmia and the appropriate management within the new intervention. Results The decision tree, utilising the Decision analytic modelling, resource identification, cost implication, estimated changes including 2-hour staff training, capital, year one to year five costs, potential cost savings year-on-year, cost-per-wear comparison against the private hospital provider, pre and post-intervention scenario analysis were constructed. Conclusion The budget impact analysis designed a simple cost calculator to add additional tests of Holter monitors that rely on the decision model approach. It shows a potential cost saving within a five-year horizon and increases the number of patients’ attendance by optimising patient turnover. Apart from the cost and organisation, there are other positive impacts towards financial and clinical areas, ensuring high-quality service for the population.

Unveiling the Secrets of an Artwork through Non-Invasive Investigations—Case Study of a 19th-Century Female Portrait

This article aims to present the results of the investigations performed on a 19th-century oil painting on canvas belonging to the Conservation and Restoration Department of the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The artwork depicting the portrait of a lady originating from an important Irish noble family (Judith Bunbury, 1785–1861) has been investigated using only non-invasive methods. The investigation protocol included digital photography in different light sources at different wavelengths, which was used to document the current condition of the painting, UV fluorescence, which highlighted the previous improper retouches and the presence of a varnish coat, Infrared reflectography, which brought to light the underdrawing made by the artist and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, an elemental analysis technique which indicated the chemical composition of the pigments, suggesting the use of lead white, a barium white pigment, yellow and red ochre, vermilion, cobalt blue, and a manganese-based brown pigment. The results of this entirely non-invasive investigation approach helped in choosing the most appropriate conservation and restoration methodology for the artwork.

Experimentation of a PVA-Borax hydrogel for the removal of Paraloid B72® from artifacts of archaeological interest from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Italy

This paper shows the results of an experimentation aimed at the removal of a polymeric film of aged Paraloid B72® originally placed to protect some wooden artifacts belonging to the Egyptian collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). The study was conducted on two shabtis dated to the 19th Dynasty and a sculpture of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris dating to the late period. Thanks to the collaboration between the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and the Laboratory of Restoration of Wooden Artifacts of the University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, it was possible to conduct an in-depth study of the artifacts, from both an archaeological-historical point of view and from a conservation point of view. This led to the development of the above-mentioned experimentation and to the planning of a proper restoration intervention. The study and experimentation were supported by several diagnostic techniques. In a first stage, non-invasive investigations were carried out to study the execution technique and the state of conservation of the artifacts. This allowed the recognition of the wood species that constituted the three sculptures through optical microscopy, whereas IR reflectography, UV induced fluorescence and X-ray radiation (XRF) were conducted to identify the type and the chemical nature of the pigments. Based on the above analysis, different restoration strategies, based on the removal of Paraloid B72® through a methodology that would act in full respect of the wooden support of the artifacts, were considered. Pros and cons of the different methodologies applied in the recent past for the removal of aged Paraloid from artifact surfaces were analysed. A removal technique based on the use PVA-Borax hydrogel loaded with a solvent mixture was selected. Experiments were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the selected method.

Poster Session: Estimation of scleral biomechanical properties from air-puff-coupled optical coherence tomography.

Progression of myopia is usually accompanied by axial overgrowth of the eyeball, which affects scleral biomechanics (BM). To study scleral biomechanics, we propose the use of air-puff deformation swept-source OCT imaging. Air-puff deformation imaging was performed at different sites of ex vivo porcine (n=5) and rabbit (n=3) eyes, (<24hr postmortem): Nasal/temporal equatorial and posterior sclera (NE, NP, TE, TP), superior (S) and inferior (I) sclera, and cornea (C). Intraocular pressure was kept at 15mmHg. Deformation data were used as input to inverse finite element model (FEM) algorithms to reconstruct BM properties. Experimental deformation amplitudes showed dependence on the animal model, with porcine scleras exhibiting greater inter-site variation (displacement of S, I was up to four times greater than that of N, T), while rabbit scleras exhibited at most 40% of displacement differences between all sites. Both models showed significant (p<.001) differences in the temporal deformation profile between sclera and (C), but similarities in all scleral locations, suggesting that the scleral temporal profile is independent of scleral thickness variations. The FEM estimated an elastic modulus of 1.84 ± 0.30 MPa (I) to 6.04 ± 2.11 MPa (TE) for the porcine sclera. The use of scleral air-puff imaging is promising for noninvasive investigation of structural changes in the sclera associated with myopia and for monitoring possible modulation of scleral stiffness with myopia treatment.

Portal Venous Pulsatility Index: A Novel Biomarker for Diagnosis of High-Risk NonAlcoholic Fatty Liver Dise

Objective: To assess the accuracy of portal vein pulsatility (VPI) for non-invasive diagnosis of high-risk non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Pakistan Institute of Medical Science, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jan to May 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: Duplex Doppler ultrasound was used to examine the main portal vein in patients with a biopsy-proven Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosis. Patients were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography after fasting for four hours in accordance with standard methodology. The maximum (Vmax) and minimum (Vmin) blood velocities in the portal veins were measured using the spectral waveform. &#x0D; Results: Out of 240 NAFLD patients, 102(42.50%) were males, and 138(57.50 %) were females. According to the Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis clinical research network (NASH CRN) scoring system, 95(39.58%) patients had F0 disease, 80(33.33%) had F1, 30(12.5%) patients F2, 24(10%) patients had F3 and 11(4.58%) had F4. 50(53.76%) patients in the low-risk group and 43(46.24%) patients in the high-risk group had diabetes. Of 102 males, 73(71.56%) had low risk, and 29(28.44%) had high risk. While out of 138 females, 79(57.24%) females had low risk, and 59(42.76%) females had a high risk of NAFLD. Venous pulsatility index, NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4, BARD score, and APRL had statistically significant differences (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Venous pulsatility index is a reliable marker for detecting high-risk NAFLD. It is a readily available non-invasive investigation and can be reliably used as a screening tool for detecting NAFLD in high-risk patients, avoiding invasive investigation.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) in Evaluating Obstructive Jaundice, Keeping Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography(ERCP) as Gold Standard

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in evaluating obstructive Jaundice, taking Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography as the gold standard.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging in collaboration with the Gastroenterology Department of Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jun to Dec 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Ninety patients with a history of obstructive Jaundice referred to the Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging for Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography were included in the study. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography was followed by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography within 48 hours. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography results were compared with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and diagnostic accuracy was calculated.&#x0D; Results: The mean age was 57.58±14.65 years. The study constituted 40 male (44.4%) and 50 female (55.6%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography, keeping Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography as the gold standard, were calculated as 91.04%, 89.04%, 95.31%, 76.90% and 90.0%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 7, while the negative likelihood ratio was 0.10.&#x0D; Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography is a non-invasive and safe investigation with excellent diagnostic accuracy in evaluating obstructive Jaundice. Thus, Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography may be an alternative to Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, especially in cases without intervention or in pregnant females, as it is free from ionizing radiation.

The Salafia embalming formula: do it well or don’t do it at all

Medical imaging allows non-invasive investigation of human remains. While paleoimaging is undoubtedly necessary in mummy studies, it is intrinsically limited in the sense that it cannot provide mummy experts with information on the chemical composition of the embalming substances. This holds particularly true for modern embalmed mummies (19th-20th centuries). Since the end of the 19th century, cadavers were arterially injected with chemicals which varied depending on different methods. One of those embalming methods was Salafia’s, which was much advertised in the USA. Since attempts at experimental reproduction of the Salafia method are planned by our team, a re-examination of the published literature on the formula was made. Here we provide evidence that an error in unit conversion from gallons to litres occurred and that the same mistake was repeated in the majority of the published English literature with a single exception which went unnoticed. Furthermore, we provide English speaking embalmers and mummy scholars with the complete and correct translation of the original version of Salafia’s formula.

Corroborating the autoptic identification of archeological glyptics in museum collections: The contribution of portable Raman spectroscopy

AbstractA collection of Hellenistic–Roman glyptics, kept at the Regional Archaeological Museum “Paolo Orsi” (Syracuse, Italy), was investigatedin situwith portable Raman spectroscopy with the aim of assessing the viability of this approach, not only for the immediate identification of the gemstones but also for a more in‐depth successive data treatment. At the same time, a corroboration of the autoptic identification of the materials, both archeological and belonging to historical collections, was looked for in order to verify and potentially correct what reported in the museum catalogue. Actually, most of the identifications could be confirmed, the glyptics being mainly made of chalcedony. Other materials found were garnet, glass, and amber. The larger group of chalcedony Raman spectra was subjected to principal components analysis treatment that, after appropriate pretreatment, resulted successful in separating spectra with higher or lower contribution of the band due to the presence of moganite and SiOH bonds. The garnet spectra were instead subjected to quantitative study to identify the main end member. Both the quick identifications and the more detailed studies on chalcedonies and garnets were achieved thanks to the nondestructive and noninvasive investigation, directlyin situ, with no sample preparation and minimal interference with the museum's activities.

Cross-platform comparisons for targeted bisulfite sequencing of MGISEQ-2000 and NovaSeq6000

BackgroundAn accurate and reproducible next-generation sequencing platform is essential to identify malignancy-related abnormal DNA methylation changes and translate them into clinical applications including cancer detection, prognosis, and surveillance. However, high-quality DNA methylation sequencing has been challenging because poor sequence diversity of the bisulfite-converted libraries severely impairs sequencing quality and yield. In this study, we tested MGISEQ-2000 Sequencer’s capability of DNA methylation sequencing with a published non-invasive pancreatic cancer detection assay, using NovaSeq6000 as the benchmark.ResultsWe sequenced a series of synthetic cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples with different tumor fractions and found MGISEQ-2000 yielded data with similar quality as NovaSeq6000. The methylation levels measured by MGISEQ-2000 demonstrated high consistency with NovaSeq6000. Moreover, MGISEQ-2000 showed a comparable analytic sensitivity with NovaSeq6000, suggesting its potential for clinical detection. As to evaluate the clinical performance of MGISEQ-2000, we sequenced 24 clinical samples and predicted the pathology of the samples with a clinical diagnosis model, PDACatch classifier. The clinical model performance of MGISEQ-2000’s data was highly consistent with that of NovaSeq6000’s data, with the area under the curve of 1. We also tested the model’s robustness with MGISEQ-2000’s data when reducing the sequencing depth. The results showed that MGISEQ-2000’s data showed matching robustness of the PDACatch classifier with NovaSeq6000’s data.ConclusionsTaken together, MGISEQ-2000 demonstrated similar data quality, consistency of the methylation levels, comparable analytic sensitivity, and matching clinical performance, supporting its application in future non-invasive early cancer detection investigations by detecting distinct methylation patterns of cfDNAs.

Congenital Cutis Verticis Gyrata in a Newborn with Turner Syndrome: A Rare Clinical Manifestation of This Chromosomal Disease with Trichoscopic Evaluation.

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare disorder of the scalp that entails the development of ridges and furrows, which mimic the anatomical conformation of the brain. This skin condition has been classified in primary essential, primary non-essential, and secondary CVG, depending on the presence or absence of other associated disorders. We present the case report of a one-month-old female newborn affected by congenital CVG (CCVG), who also received a diagnosis of Turner syndrome (TS). Skin folding was present at birth and located at the left frontal region of the scalp in the sagittal plane. Our purpose was to make this pathology clinically and tricoscopically better known, since it can be related to different genetic, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions, etc. Non-invasive investigations, such as ultrasonography (U/S) of the brain and scalp and trichoscopy, were also used to obtain the important clues necessary to help in the CVG classification. The clinical diagnosis and trichoscopical investigation of CVG may also be useful for those patients who may have a genetic disease that is not screened for during prenatal examinations.