-
Archives of Dermatological Research May 2024Skin cancer treatment is a core aspect of dermatology that relies on accurate diagnosis and timely interventions. Teledermatology has emerged as a valuable asset across... (Review)
Review
Skin cancer treatment is a core aspect of dermatology that relies on accurate diagnosis and timely interventions. Teledermatology has emerged as a valuable asset across various stages of skin cancer care including triage, diagnosis, management, and surgical consultation. With the integration of traditional dermoscopy and store-and-forward technology, teledermatology facilitates the swift sharing of high-resolution images of suspicious skin lesions with consulting dermatologists all-over. Both live video conference and store-and-forward formats have played a pivotal role in bridging the care access gap between geographically isolated patients and dermatology providers. Notably, teledermatology demonstrates diagnostic accuracy rates that are often comparable to those achieved through traditional face-to-face consultations, underscoring its robust clinical utility. Technological advancements like artificial intelligence and reflectance confocal microscopy continue to enhance image quality and hold potential for increasing the diagnostic accuracy of virtual dermatologic care. While teledermatology serves as a valuable clinical tool for all patient populations including pediatric patients, it is not intended to fully replace in-person procedures like Mohs surgery and other necessary interventions. Nevertheless, its role in facilitating the evaluation of skin malignancies is gaining recognition within the dermatologic community and fostering high approval rates from patients due to its practicality and ability to provide timely access to specialized care.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Dermatology; Dermoscopy; Remote Consultation; Skin Neoplasms; Telemedicine
PubMed: 38696032
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02884-7 -
PloS One 2024The three-dimensional swimming tracks of motile microorganisms can be used to identify their species, which holds promise for the rapid identification of bacterial...
The three-dimensional swimming tracks of motile microorganisms can be used to identify their species, which holds promise for the rapid identification of bacterial pathogens. The tracks also provide detailed information on the cells' responses to external stimuli such as chemical gradients and physical objects. Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) is a well-established, but computationally intensive method for obtaining three-dimensional cell tracks from video microscopy data. We demonstrate that a common neural network (NN) accelerates the analysis of holographic data by an order of magnitude, enabling its use on single-board computers and in real time. We establish a heuristic relationship between the distance of a cell from the focal plane and the size of the bounding box assigned to it by the NN, allowing us to rapidly localise cells in three dimensions as they swim. This technique opens the possibility of providing real-time feedback in experiments, for example by monitoring and adapting the supply of nutrients to a microbial bioreactor in response to changes in the swimming phenotype of microbes, or for rapid identification of bacterial pathogens in drinking water or clinical samples.
Topics: Holography; Deep Learning; Microscopy; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Bacteria; Quantitative Phase Imaging
PubMed: 38669245
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301182 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Additive manufacturing technology has advanced beyond creating optimized features, from strengthening materials to make them lightweight to fabricating multi-material...
Additive manufacturing technology has advanced beyond creating optimized features, from strengthening materials to make them lightweight to fabricating multi-material combinations that offer functionalities beyond the capabilities of individual materials. In this study, a lamination method for laser-directed energy deposition (LDED) is developed to achieve dense multi-material features, and a design that combines different and dissimilar materials is developed. To evaluate these novel developments, two materials-AISI 316L stainless steel and Inconel 625-are introduced. Tensile specimens, fabricated via multi-material additive manufacturing using LDED, are subjected to tensile tests that are recorded on video for digital image correlation. After the tests, fracture surface analyses of the fractured specimens are performed via scanning electron microscopy, and optical monitoring analyses are performed on the specimens that are not subjected to the tensile tests. The results indicate that the specimens demonstrate varied mechanical properties due to the influence of lamination direction and order, which affect the formation of critical cracks and pores.
PubMed: 38655361
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29666 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Apr 2024Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an optical method that enables microscopic visualization of oral mucosa. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to...
OBJECTIVES
Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an optical method that enables microscopic visualization of oral mucosa. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to differentiate between physiological and malignant oral mucosa. However, differences in mucosal architecture were not taken into account. The objective was to map the different oral mucosal morphologies and to establish a "CLE map" of physiological mucosa as baseline for further application of this powerful technology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The CLE database consisted of 27 patients. The following spots were examined: (1) upper lip (intraoral) (2) alveolar ridge (3) lateral tongue (4) floor of the mouth (5) hard palate (6) intercalary line. All sequences were examined by two CLE experts for morphological differences and video quality.
RESULTS
Analysis revealed clear differences in image quality and possibility of depicting tissue morphologies between the various localizations of oral mucosa: imaging of the alveolar ridge and hard palate showed visually most discriminative tissue morphology. Labial mucosa was also visualized well using CLE. Here, typical morphological features such as uniform cells with regular intercellular gaps and vessels could be clearly depicted. Image generation and evaluation was particularly difficult in the area of the buccal mucosa, the lateral tongue and the floor of the mouth.
CONCLUSION
A physiological "CLE map" for the entire oral cavity could be created for the first time.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This will make it possible to take into account the existing physiological morphological features when differentiating between normal mucosa and oral squamous cell carcinoma in future work.
Topics: Humans; Microscopy, Confocal; Mouth Mucosa; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms
PubMed: 38652317
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05664-9 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jun 2024Single-molecule localization microscopy has proved promising to unravel the dynamics and molecular architecture of thin biological samples down to nanoscales. For...
Single-molecule localization microscopy has proved promising to unravel the dynamics and molecular architecture of thin biological samples down to nanoscales. For applications in complex, thick biological tissues shifting single-particle emission wavelengths to the shortwave infrared (SWIR also called NIR II) region between 900 to 2100 nm, where biological tissues are more transparent is key. To date, mainly single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) enable such applications, but they are inherently 1D objects. Here, 0D ultra-small luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs, <3 nm) and ≈25 nm AuNC-loaded-polymeric particles that can be detected at the single-particle level in the SWIR are presented. Thanks to high brightness and excellent photostability, it is shown that the dynamics of the spherical polymeric particles can be followed at the single-particle level in solution at video rates for minutes. We compared single particle tracking of AuNC-loaded-polymeric particles with that of SWCNT diffusing in agarose gels demonstrating the specificity and complementarity of diffusion properties of these SWIR-emitting nano-objects when exploring a complex environment. This extends the library of photostable SWIR emitting nanomaterials to 0D nano-objects of variable size for single-molecule localization microscopy in the second biological window, opening unprecedented possibilities for mapping the structure and dynamics of complex biological systems.
PubMed: 38639398
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309267 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Apr 2024This paper explores the role of teledermatology (TD) in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) at various stages of patient care. The study aims to assess the benefits,... (Review)
Review
This paper explores the role of teledermatology (TD) in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) at various stages of patient care. The study aims to assess the benefits, limitations, and patient experiences surrounding TD integration into MMS practices. We conducted a PubMed search using keywords related to TD and MMS, categorizing selected articles into pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative stages of MMS. TD reduced waiting times (26.10 days for TD compared to 60.57 days for face-to-face [FTF]) and consultation failure rates (6% for TD vs. 17% for FTF) for MMS preoperative consultations. It also shortened time to treatment by two weeks and led to notable travel savings (162.7 min, 144.5 miles, and $60.00 per person). Telepathology facilitated communication and decision-making during MMS, improving accuracy and efficiency, especially in challenging cases requiring collaboration where physical presence of another surgeon or pathologist is not feasible. Telepathology definitively diagnosed benign lesions and malignant tumors in 81.8% of cases (18/22). Additionally, there was a 95% agreement between conventional light microscopy diagnosis and telepathology in tumors (19/20), and 100% agreement for all 20 Mohs frozen section consultations. For post-operative follow-up, telephone follow-up (TFU) and text messaging proved effective, cost-efficient alternatives with high patient satisfaction (94% in New Zealand and 96% in the U.K.) and early complication identification. This study underscores TD's multifaceted benefits in MMS: enhanced patient experience preoperatively, improved communication during surgery, and cost-effective postoperative follow-up. Limitations include the financial expense and technical issues that can arise with TD (connectivity problems, delays in video/audio transmission, etc.). Further studies are needed to explore emerging TD modalities in post-operative patient management. The integration of TD into MMS signifies a progressive step in dermatological care, offering convenient, cost-effective, and better solutions with the potential to enhance patient experiences and outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Mohs Surgery; Communication; New Zealand; Pathologists; Patient Satisfaction
PubMed: 38625403
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02851-2 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Mar 2024Light-sheet microscopy (LSM) plays a pivotal role in comprehending the intricate three-dimensional (3D) structure of the heart, providing crucial insights into...
Light-sheet microscopy (LSM) plays a pivotal role in comprehending the intricate three-dimensional (3D) structure of the heart, providing crucial insights into fundamental cardiac physiology and pathologic responses. We hereby delve into the development and implementation of the LSM technique to elucidate the micro-architecture of the heart in mouse models. The methodology integrates a customized LSM system with tissue clearing techniques, mitigating light scattering within cardiac tissues for volumetric imaging. The combination of conventional LSM with image stitching and multiview deconvolution approaches allows for the capture of the entire heart. To address the inherent trade-off between axial resolution and field of view (FOV), we further introduce an axially swept light-sheet microscopy (ASLM) method to minimize out-of-focus light and uniformly illuminate the heart across the propagation direction. In the meanwhile, tissue clearing methods such as iDISCO enhance light penetration, facilitating the visualization of deep structures and ensuring a comprehensive examination of the myocardium throughout the entire heart. The combination of the proposed LSM and tissue clearing methods presents a promising platform for researchers in resolving cardiac structures in rodent hearts, holding great potential for the understanding of cardiac morphogenesis and remodeling.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Heart; Microscopy; Myocardium; Disease Models, Animal; Reproduction
PubMed: 38619234
DOI: 10.3791/66707 -
Neurosurgical Focus: Video Apr 2024Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly being adopted for spinal intradural tumors. Through the use of conventional microscopy or exoscopy for large lobulated...
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly being adopted for spinal intradural tumors. Through the use of conventional microscopy or exoscopy for large lobulated nerve sheath tumors, the posterior root attachment is often visualized only after mobilizing the tumor. Here, the authors describe the utility of angled endoscopy with its panoramic view for a T10 nerve sheath tumor. Gross-total extracapsular excision was achieved utilizing a minimally invasive right paraspinous approach, fenestration, lateral durotomy, sliding delivery of the tumor, sharp dissection of radicular attachments under neuromonitoring, and dural closure with oblique clips. Angled endoscopes help visualize the attachments behind large multilobulated tumors and confirm the totality of excision. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2024.1.FOCVID23214.
PubMed: 38616904
DOI: 10.3171/2024.1.FOCVID23214 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen significant progress in medical diagnostics, particularly in image and video analysis. This review focuses on the application of AI... (Review)
Review
Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen significant progress in medical diagnostics, particularly in image and video analysis. This review focuses on the application of AI in analyzing in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images for corneal diseases. The cornea, as an exposed and delicate part of the body, necessitates the precise diagnoses of various conditions. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a key component of deep learning, are a powerful tool for image data analysis. This review highlights AI applications in diagnosing keratitis, dry eye disease, and diabetic corneal neuropathy. It discusses the potential of AI in detecting infectious agents, analyzing corneal nerve morphology, and identifying the subtle changes in nerve fiber characteristics in diabetic corneal neuropathy. However, challenges still remain, including limited datasets, overfitting, low-quality images, and unrepresentative training datasets. This review explores augmentation techniques and the importance of feature engineering to address these challenges. Despite the progress made, challenges are still present, such as the "black-box" nature of AI models and the need for explainable AI (XAI). Expanding datasets, fostering collaborative efforts, and developing user-friendly AI tools are crucial for enhancing the acceptance and integration of AI into clinical practice.
PubMed: 38611606
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070694 -
Cells Mar 2024Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited disorder that impairs motile cilia, essential for respiratory health, with a reported prevalence of 1 in 16,309 within...
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited disorder that impairs motile cilia, essential for respiratory health, with a reported prevalence of 1 in 16,309 within Hispanic populations. Despite 70% of Puerto Rican patients having the [c.921+3_921+6del (intronic)] founder mutation, the characterization of the ciliary dysfunction remains unidentified due to the unavailability of advanced diagnostic modalities like High-Speed Video Microscopy Analysis (HSVA). Our study implemented HSVA for the first time on the island as a tool to better diagnose and characterize the [c.921+3_921+6del (intronic)] founder mutation in Puerto Rican patients. By applying HSVA, we analyzed the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and pattern (CBP) in native Puerto Rican patients with PCD. Our results showed decreased CBF and a rotational CBP linked to the founder mutation in Puerto Ricans, presenting a novel diagnostic marker that could be implemented as an axillary test into the PCD diagnosis algorithm in Puerto Rico. The integration of HSVA technology in Puerto Rico substantially enhances the PCD evaluation and diagnosis framework, facilitating prompt detection and early intervention for improved disease management. This initiative, demonstrating the potential of HSVA as an adjunctive test within the PCD diagnostic algorithm, could serve as a blueprint for analogous developments throughout Latin America.
Topics: Humans; Algorithms; Cilia; Hispanic or Latino; Kartagener Syndrome; Microscopy, Video
PubMed: 38607006
DOI: 10.3390/cells13070567