Search Results (385)

(1) Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) remains a challenging condition without a universally accepted treatment protocol. Surgical therapy, particularly Er:YAG laser-assisted surgery, has shown more predictable long-term results compared with non-surgical options. However, the identification of resection margins in ONJ surgery is complex and currently relies on the surgeon’s intraoperative assessment, without standardization. Bone autofluorescence (AF) has been proposed as an intraoperative diagnostic tool for visualizing necrotic bone; under VELscope (LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., Barnaby, BC, Canada) illumination, healthy bone exhibits hyperfluorescence, while pathological bone appears dark brown/black (loss of autofluorescence, LAF). (2) Methods: 22 patients with ONJ requiring surgical therapy were included. After bone exposure, VELscope system was used to induce and visualize bone AF. Areas exhibiting absent or pale AF were identified as necrotic and removed; additional samples were collected from adjacent hyperfluorescent regions. (3) Results: Histopathologic evaluation of 56 specimens were conducted; 35 hypofluorescent samples were found to be necrotic bone tissue; in the 21 hyperfluorescent samples, 86% demonstrated normal, vital bone. The correlation between fluorescence and bone vitality was highly significant (p < 0.0000001). (4) Conclusions: Our data show that AF-guided surgical resection, combined with Er:YAG laser-assisted surgery, may improve clinical outcomes. Full article

Emerging imaging-guided technologies, such as prostate-specific membrane antigen radioguided surgery (PSMA-RGS) and augmented reality (AR), could enhance the precision and efficacy of robot-assisted prostate cancer (PCa) surgical approaches, maximizing the surgeons’ ability to remove all cancer sites and thus patients’ outcomes. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) represents an imaging-guided technique that could enhance nodal staging accuracy by leveraging lymphatic mapping with tracers. PSMA-RGS uses radiolabeled tracers with the aim to improve intraoperative lymph node metastases (LNMs) detection. Several studies demonstrated its feasibility and safety, with promising accuracy in nodal staging during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and in recurrence setting during salvage lymph node dissection (sLND) in patients who experience biochemical recurrence (BCR) after primary treatment and have positive PSMA positron emission tomography (PET). Near-infrared PSMA tracers, such as OTL78 and IS-002, have shown potential in intraoperative fluorescence-guided surgery, improving positive surgical margins (PSMs) and LNMs identification. Finally, augmented reality (AR), which integrates preoperative imaging (e.g., multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging [mpMRI] of the prostate and computed tomography [CT]) onto the surgical field, can provide a real-time visualization of anatomical structures through the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models. These technologies may assist surgeons during intraoperative procedures, thus optimizing the balance between oncological control and functional outcomes. However, challenges remain in standardizing these tools and assessing their impact on long-term PCa control. Overall, these advancements represent a paradigm shift toward personalized and precise surgical approaches, emphasizing the integration of innovative strategies to improve outcomes of PCa patients. Full article

Introduction: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in neuroplasticity evaluations provide important information on stroke disease and the underlying mechanisms of neuronal recovery. It has been observed that gray matter density or volume in brain regions closely related to motor function can be a valuable indicator of the response to treatment. Objective: To compare structural MRI-evaluated gray matter volume changes in patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity for >1 year between those undergoing surgery and those treated with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) and to relate these findings to upper limb function and quality of life outcomes. Materials and Methods: Design. A two-arm controlled and randomized clinical trial in patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity. Participants. Thirty post-stroke patients with spastic upper limbs. Intervention. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1 allocation ratio) for surgery (experimental group) or treatment with BoNT-A (control group). Main outcome measures. The functional parameters were analyzed with Fugl-Meyer, Zancolli, Keenan, House, Ashworth, pain visual analogue, and hospital anxiety and depression scales. Quality of life was evaluated using SF-36 and Newcastle stroke-specific quality of life scales. The carer burden questionnaire was also applied. Clinical examinations and MRI scans were performed at baseline and at six months post-intervention. Correlations between brain volume/thickness and predictors of interest were examined across evaluations and groups. Results: Five patients were excluded due to the presence of intracranial implants. Eleven patients were excluded from analyses since they were late dropouts. Changes were observed in the experimental group but not in the control group. Between baseline and six months, gray matter volume was augmented at the hippocampus and gyrus rectus and cortical thickness was increased at the frontal pole, occipital gyrus, and insular cortex, indicating anatomical changes in key areas related to motor and behavioral adaptation These changes were significantly related to subjective pain, Ashworth spasticity scale, and Newcastle quality of life scores, and marginally related to the carer burden score. Conclusions: The structural analysis of gray matter by MRI revealed differences in patients with post-stroke sequelae undergoing different therapies. Gray matter volume and cortical thickness measurements showed significant improvements in the surgery group but not in the BoNT-A group. Volume was increased in areas associated with motor and sensory functions, suggesting a neuroprotective or regenerative effect of upper limb surgery. Full article

This study utilized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) to develop a 3D numerical model of slope anchors and conduct a comprehensive analysis. Initial data were collected using a UAS with 4 K resolution, followed by a second dataset captured 6 months later with 8 K resolution after artificially damaging the anchor. The model analyzed damage factors such as cracks, destruction, movement, and settlement. Cracks smaller than 0.3 mm were detected with an error margin of ±0.05 mm. The maximum damaged area on the anchor head was within 3% of the designed value, and the volume of damaged regions was quantified. A combination analysis examined elevation differences on the anchor’s irregular bottom surface, resulting in an average difference at 20 points, reflecting ground adhesion. The rotation angle (<1°) and displacement of the anchor head were also measured. The study successfully extracted quantitative damage data, demonstrating the potential for an accurate assessment of anchor performance. The findings highlight the value of integrating UAS and TLS technologies for slope maintenance. By organizing these quantitative metrics into a database, this approach offers a robust alternative to traditional visual inspections, especially for inaccessible facilities, providing a foundation for enhanced safety evaluations. Full article

Accurate diagnosis of crop nutritional status is critical for optimizing yield and quality in modern agriculture. This study enhances the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy-based nutrient diagnosis, improving its application in precision agriculture. We propose a method to identify optimal diagnostic positions on cucumber leaves for early detection of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) deficiencies, thereby providing a robust scientific basis for high-throughput phenotyping using Raman spectroscopy (RS). Using a dot-matrix approach, we collected RS data across different leaf positions and explored the selection of diagnostic positions through spectral cosine similarity analysis. These results provide critical insights for developing rapid, non-destructive methods for nutrient stress monitoring in crops. Results show that spectral similarity across positions exhibits higher instability during the early developmental stages of leaves or under short-term (24 h) nutrient stress, with significant differences in the stability of spectral data among treatment groups. However, visual analysis of the spatial distribution of positions with lower similarity values reveals consistent spectral similarity distribution patterns across different treatment groups, with the lower similarity values predominantly observed at the leaf margins, near the main veins, and at the leaf base. Excluding low-similarity data significantly improved model performance for early (24 h) nutrient deficiency diagnosis, resulting in higher precision, recall, and F1 scores. Based on these results, the efficacy of the proposed method for selecting diagnostic positions has been validated. It is recommended to avoid collecting RS data from areas near the leaf margins, main veins, and the leaf base when diagnosing early nutrient deficiencies in plants to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Full article

Background: The reconstruction of extensive full-thickness lower eyelid defects constitutes a challenge for plastic surgeons. Various techniques have been described to cater to patients’ specific defect needs, with the aim of achieving the best results. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study assessing our experience with a combination of a single-stage procedure consisting of a hard palate graft and a Fricke flap for patients with complex lower lid resections undergoing immediate total reconstruction at our institution. Clinical data, histological type and results, size of tumor, recurrences, and post-operative complications were collected to evaluate outcomes. A Visual Analogue 10-point scale was administered to all patients to assess esthetic and functional outcomes. Results: Seven lower lid reconstructions were performed, with all patients receiving immediate reconstruction. The age of the patients ranged from 55 to 82. Five skin cancers were located on the right side and three on the left side. In all cases, histological diagnosis was non-melanoma skin cancers. The mean size of the tumor was 1.7 × 1.7. In all patients, negative surgical margins were obtained. All patients underwent 24-month follow up. No immediate complication from surgery was recorded within the first 30 days. During follow-up, lower lid ectropion was observed in one patient due to the development of a retracting scar. No local cancer recurrence or nodal metastasis were detected until 2 years follow-up. In only one case, adjuvant therapy was required. The aesthetic results were deemed satisfactory by all patients. Conclusions: According to our experience, the combination of a Fricke flap and hard palate graft is an excellent option for total lower eyelid reconstruction, with low morbidity and favorable outcomes, even in elderly and frail patients where satisfactory results were achieved in a single-stage procedure and short operative times. Full article

The study of secondary craters on the Moon is vital for understanding lunar impact dynamics and surface evolution. However, this task is complicated by sample imbalance, with primary crater samples outnumbering those of secondary craters, and by the reliance on time-intensive manual methods or limited automated techniques. While many previous studies have focused on the manual or automated differentiation of secondary craters, few have addressed the interpretation of variables and models. In this study, we propose a machine-learning-based approach using the CatBoost algorithm to classify craters based on variables extracted from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. These variables include those from previous research as well as new ones introduced here, such as slope and density with Gaussian summation. Despite data imbalance and noise, the model achieves a classification accuracy of 0.8788, with a precision of 0.7922, a recall rate of 0.7412, and an F1 score of 0.7658 for secondary craters. To enhance interpretations, Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and partial dependence plots (PDPs) are applied to evaluate variable importance and visualize the marginal effects of key variables, indicating the density variables playing a key role in crater classification. Full article

Regular crack detection is essential for extending the service life of bridges. However, the image data collected during bridge crack inspections are complex to convert into physical information and construct intuitive and comprehensive Three-Dimensional (3D) models incorporating crack information. An intelligent crack detection method for bridge surface damage based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is proposed for these challenges, incorporating a three-stage detection, quantification, and visualization process. This method enables automatic crack detection, quantification, and localization in a 3D model, generating a bridge model that includes crack details and distribution. The key contributions of this method are as follows: (1) The DCN-BiFPN-EMA-YOLO (DBE-YOLO) crack detection network is introduced, which improves the model’s ability to extract crack features from complex backgrounds and enhances its multi-scale detection capability for accurate detection; (2) a more comprehensive crack quantification method is proposed, integrating the crack automation detection system for accurate crack quantification and efficient processing; (3) crack information is mapped onto the 3D model by computing the camera pose for each image in the 3D model for intuitive crack visualization. Experimental results from tests on a concrete beam and an urban bridge demonstrate that the proposed method accurately identifies and quantifies crack images captured by UAVs. The DBE-YOLO network achieves an accuracy of 96.79% and an F1 score of 88.51%, improving accuracy by 3.19% and the F1 score by 3.8% compared to the original model. The quantification accuracy is within 10% of the error margin of traditional manual inspection. A 3D bridge model was also constructed and integrated with crack information. Full article

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive imaging technique used to visualize retinal blood flow and identify changes in vascular density and enlargement or distortion of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), which are indicators of various eye diseases. Although several automated FAZ detection and segmentation algorithms have been developed for use with OCTA, their performance can vary significantly due to differences in data accessibility of OCTA in different retinal pathologies, and differences in image quality in different subjects and/or different OCTA devices. For example, data from subjects with direct macular damage, such as in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are more readily available in eye clinics, while data on macular damage due to systemic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease are often less accessible; data from healthy subjects may have better OCTA quality than subjects with ophthalmic pathologies. Typically, segmentation algorithms make use of convolutional neural networks and, more recently, vision transformers, which make use of both long-range context and fine-grained detail. However, transformers are known to be data-hungry, and may overfit small datasets, such as those common for FAZ segmentation in OCTA, to which there is limited access in clinical practice. To improve model generalization in low-data or imbalanced settings, we propose a multi-condition transformer-based architecture that uses four teacher encoders to distill knowledge into a shared base model, enabling the transfer of learned features across multiple datasets. These include intra-modality distillation using OCTA datasets from four ocular conditions: healthy aging eyes, Alzheimer’s disease, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy; and inter-modality distillation incorporating color fundus photographs of subjects undergoing laser photocoagulation therapy. Our multi-condition model achieved a mean Dice Index of 83.8% with pretraining, outperforming single-condition models (mean of 83.1%) across all conditions. Pretraining on color fundus photocoagulation images improved the average Dice Index by a small margin on all conditions except AMD (1.1% on single-condition models, and 0.1% on multi-condition models). Our architecture demonstrates potential for broader applications in detecting and analyzing ophthalmic and systemic diseases across diverse imaging datasets and settings. Full article

Apricot cultivation plays a significant role in Italy’s agricultural landscape, with the country hosting a wide variety of traditional and international cultivars, and their cultivation, processing and transformation offer a wide margin for market expansion. Jam preparation is an ideal method to preserve apricots, and understanding their functional properties is crucial for achieving high-quality products. Vesuvian autochthonous cultivars, in particular, stand out for their unique organoleptic and nutraceutical traits, which are closely linked to the region’s pedo-climatic conditions. This study investigated two apricot cultivars, the Vesuvian ‘Pellecchiella’ and the international ‘Lady Cot’, to assess their physicochemical properties and evaluate the variation in bioactive components during the transformation process from fresh fruit to puree and jam. The two cultivars exhibited distinct phenotypic differences. The ‘Lady Cot’ produced larger fruits (61.04 g vs. 45.68 g for the ‘Pellecchiella’) with a redder epicarp coloration, making it more visually appealing for commercial purposes. Conversely, the ‘Pellecchiella’ showed higher total soluble solids (TSS) and lower titratable acidity (TA), resulting in a sweeter flavor profile that may be preferred by consumers. Specifically, the ‘Pellecchiella’ exhibited a significantly higher polyphenol content, with catechin and epicatechin levels higher by 338% and 167%, respectively. The study further analyzed the variation in nutraceutical components in the puree and jam (carotenoids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP), throughout the processing stages. Both cultivars showed a reduction in these parameters during the transformation process. For instance, the total polyphenol content exhibited a similar reduction of approximately 61% in both cultivars. However, the ‘Pellecchiella’ retained higher values in the jam, reflecting its naturally higher initial levels in the fresh fruit, and showed higher Redness Index. Overall, the results highlight ‘Pellecchiella’ as a cultivar having superior nutraceutical properties and good bioactive compound retention during processing, making it a valuable choice for both fresh consumption and processed products. These findings have significant implications for the functional food sector, as they underscore the importance of cultivar selection and processing strategies to preserve valuable bioactive compounds. By leveraging the natural advantages of local cultivars like ‘Pellecchiella’, producers could develop premium jams or puree-based functional products aimed at health-conscious consumers. Full article

The colonization of Latin America generated a legacy of suffering and irreparable loss, subjugating peoples and cultures and perpetuating structures of oppression. This article investigates how Frida Kahlo’s life and work can be thought of from the neo-Testamentary category of “kenosis”, in the sense of self-emptying that leads to resistance and openness to transcendence. The Mexican painter’s art reflects not only her personal pain but also social marginalization, gender inequality, and the impact of colonization, becoming a visual testimony to the kenosis experienced by the Latin American people. The aim of the study is to analyze how Frida Kahlo’s art resignifies pain and suffering, transforming them into an instrument of denunciation, resistance, and reinvention of herself in the face of colonial oppression and social marginalization. Methodologically, the following paintings were selected: Unos cuantos piquetitos, Las dos Fridas, El abrazo del amor del universo, la tierra (México), Diego, yo y el señor Xólotl, La columna rota, and Diego Rivera y Frida. The theoretical approach privileges voices from the continent but also includes contributions from international scholars. The results point to Frida Kahlo’s art as a visual testimony of the kenotic experience lived by the Latin American people, a space of encounter with the divine where suffering is transformed into resistance, revelation, and hope. Her work represents a path of overcoming, breaking with the invisibility imposed by colonization and offering possibilities for liberation and affirmation of cultural and spiritual identity. Full article

In the ever-changing world of modern manufacturing, maintaining product quality is of great importance, yet extremely difficult due to complexities and the dynamic production paradigm. Currently, quality is rather reactively measured through periodic inspections and manual assessments. Traditional quality management systems (QMS), through these reactive measures, are often inefficient because of their higher operational cost and delayed defect detection and mitigation. The paper introduces a novel cognitive twin (CT) framework, which is the next evolved version of digital twin (DT). It is designed to advance the current quality management in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) through real-time, data-driven, and predictive optimization. This proposed framework uses four data types, namely feedstock quality (Q_f), machine degradation (Q_m), product processing quality (Q_p), and quality inspection (Q_i). By utilizing the power of machine learning algorithms, the cognitive twin constantly monitors and then analyzes real-time data. The cognitive twin optimizes the above quality components. This enables a very proactive decision making through an augmented reality (AR) interface by providing real-time visual insights and alerts to the operators. Thorough experimentation was conducted on the aforementioned FMS. Through the experiments, it was revealed that the proposed cognitive twin outperforms conventional QMSs by a great margin. The cognitive twin achieved a 2% improvement in the total quality scores. A 60% decrease in defects per unit (DPU) is observed as well as a sharp 40% decrease in scrap rate. Furthermore, the overall equipment efficiency (OEE) increased to 93–96%. The overall equipment efficiency increased by 11.8%, on average, from 82% to 93%, and the scrap rate decreased by 33.3% from 60% to 40%. The excellent results showcase the effectiveness of cognitive twin quality management via minimum wastage, continuous quality improvement, and enhancement in operational efficiency in the paradigm of smart manufacturing. This research study contributes to the field of industry 4.0 by providing a comprehensive, scalable, and adaptive quality management solution, thus leading the way for further advancements in intelligent manufacturing systems. Full article

A significant segment of the inhabitants in Mexico have a high rate of malnutrition and obesity, especially in impoverished and segregated areas. This study analyzes the paradox of food swamps, food availability, and food’s ecological footprint to promote the creation of community gardens in Querétaro. This paper is segmented into four sections. It starts by recording the omnipresence of the Mexican chain “OXXO” convenience stores, which offer mainly processed foods. The second segment of the research depicts the miles traveled by Mexican crops to visualize their carbon footprint. The third portion explores the impact of urban agriculture in the 20th century on cities. The final section proposes designing and implementing community gardens in two marginalized neighborhoods (Tlacote and San Antonio–Bolaños) in Querétaro, Mexico, to foster healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods. The findings corroborate a soaring number of unhealthy food stores, elevated carbon footprints related to food production, and a community request for urban agriculture, including the regeneration of community public areas. The research emphasizes the impact of landscape urbanism, especially community gardens, to foster social, urban, and environmental regeneration. The study provides a scheme for advocating healthier lifestyles and more sustainable urban environments by focusing on food distribution, ecological services, and community engagement. Full article

Ambrosia beetles bore into trees, excavating galleries where they farm fungi as their sole source of nutrition. These mutualistic fungi typically do not cause significant damage to host trees; however, since their invasion into the U.S., the beetle Xyleborus glabratus has vectored its fungal partner, Harringtonia lauricola, which has acted as a devastating plant pathogen resulting in the deaths of over 500 million trees. Here, we show differences in the mycangial colonization of the indigenous X. affinis ambrosia beetle by H. lauricola, and the native fungal species, H. aguacate and Raffaelea arxii. While X. affinis was a good host for H. lauricola, the related ambrosia beetle, X. ferrugineus, was only marginally colonized by H. lauricola. X. affinis beetles neither fed on, nor were colonized by, the distantly related fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Mycangial colonization was affected by the nutritional state of the fungus. A novel method for direct quantification of mycangial contents based on image cell cytometry was developed and validated. The method was used to confirm mycangial colonization and demonstrate alternating fungal partner switching, which showed significant variation and dynamic turnover. X. affinis pre-oral mycangial pouches were visualized using fluorescent and light microscopy, revealing that newly emerged pupae displayed uncolonized mycangia prior to feeding, whereas beetles fed H. lauricola contained single-celled fungi within 6 h post-feeding. Mixed populations of fungal cells were seen in the mycangia of beetles following alternating colonization. Nuclear counter-staining revealed insect cells surrounding the mycangia. These data highlight variation and specificity in ambrosia beetle–fungal pairings and provide a facile method for direct quantification of mycangial contents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common illnesses that cause significant discomfort due to symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for symptom relief due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. Pelubiprofen, a new NSAID, has not been extensively evaluated for its efficacy and safety in treating URTI-related symptoms, particularly fever. This study aimed to demonstrate that pelubiprofen is not inferior to loxoprofen in reducing fever in patients with URTIs. Methods: This phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial involved 181 adults with URTI-related fever (≥38.0 °C), who were randomly assigned to receive pelubiprofen or loxoprofen at a 1:1 ratio. The primary end point was decreasing axillary temperature 4 h post-dose. Secondary end points included fever reduction, pain relief based on the visual analog scale (VAS), and safety. Results: Of the 181 participants, 130 (pelubiprofen [n = 61] and loxoprofen group [n = 69]) underwent randomization. The mean reduction in axillary temperature at 4 h post-dose was comparable between the two groups (−0.08 ± 0.62 °C). The lower bound of the 97.5% one-sided confidence interval was −0.30 °C, which is greater than the non-inferiority margin of 0.35 °C, demonstrating the non-inferiority of pelubiprofen to loxoprofen. The secondary outcomes showed no significant differences in efficacy or safety (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pelubiprofen is not inferior to loxoprofen in reducing fever associated with URTIs and is a safe and effective treatment option. Registration: (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01779271). Full article