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Fluorescence guided surgery, augmented reality, and intra-operative imaging devices are rapidly pervading the field of surgical interventions, equipping the surgeon with powerful tools capable of enhancing the surgical visualisation of anatomical normal and pathological structures. There is a wide range of possibilities in the adult population to use these novel technologies and devices in the guidance for surgical procedures and minimally invasive surgeries. Their applications and their use have also been increasingly growing in the field of paediatric surgery, where the detailed visualisation of small anatomical structures could reduce procedure time, minimising surgical complications and ultimately improve the outcome of surgery. This review aims to illustrate the mechanisms underlying these innovations and their main applications in the clinical setting.

Electronic distance measurements (EDM) represent one of the first methods to detect ground deformation on volcanoes. Used since 1964, they enable acquiring precise distance measurements, whose time repetition may highlight changes related to volcanic activity. This technique was widely used on volcanoes from the 1970s to the early 2000s and has been used many times to model position, geometry, and volumes of magmatic and hydrothermal sources. This paper reports the EDM experiences, results and data acquired on Sicilian volcanoes (Etna, Vulcano, Stromboli and Pantelleria) from the early 1970s, which have played a major role in the birth of the volcano-geodesy for volcanic process knowledge, making the Sicilian volcanoes among those with the longest geodetic record in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 6, 2023, at 01 : 17 UTC, a M = 7.8 earthquake struck the southern area of Turkey near Gaziantep town and was followed by a second earthquake of M = 7.5 at 10 : 24 UTC with the epicenter in Elbistan city. Both events were associated with the Anatolian Fault System and have claimed over 50,000 victims, as reported by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, and caused serious damage in the regions of southern Turkey and northern Syria. Seismic waves related to strong Turkey earthquakes have been recorded both by seismic stations throughout the globe and on other devices such as the ground deformation (GNSS, strainmeters, or tiltmeters) networks. In this paper, we show and analyze the earthquake signals recorded by bore-hole tilt stations that monitor seismic and volcanic activities at Mt. Etna. Tilt stations showed very large variations, despite their distance from the epicenter (approximately 1950 km) with a period between 10 and 25 seconds. We compared tilt and seismic data for a co–located station evidencing a very similar waveform that highlight how tiltmeters respond to translational acceleration rather than ground tilt during a teleseism, suggesting that, for waves with this period, they may behave as horizontal seismometers. By using these signals, we evidence the different behaviors of two of the most used models of tiltmeters on volcanoes (Lily and Pinnacle) and how they are useful for instrument calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial tumor in children. Despite the development of new therapeutic options, high-risk patients still have poor long-term survival. Distinguishing viable malignant tissue from necrotic areas and surrounding healthy tissue is pivotal during surgery. Variations in the tumor vascular architecture could guide surgeons to remove only viable tumor regions, achieving a safer and more efficient resection. In this paper, using histopathology scanned slides, we first examined variations in the vasculature density of different tumor regions, showing that viable and necrotic areas are associated with a distinct vascular signature. Then, we scanned an excised human NB specimen using a custom-made high-definition preclinical imaging device based on photoacoustic imaging, which is ideal for imaging vasculature, showing that the acquired images can differentiate macroscopic regions within the tumor. Despite aggressive treatments, the prognosis of high-risk NB remains poor. Surgical oncology needs innovative intraoperative devices to help surgeons discriminate malignant tissue from necrotic and surrounding healthy tissues. Changes within the tumor vasculature could be used intraoperatively as a diagnostic tool to guide surgical resection. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the mean vascular density (MVD) of different NB subtypes at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy using scanned histological samples. One patient was prospectively enrolled, and an ex vivo photoacoustic imaging (PAI) scan was performed on two representative sections to assess its capacity to discriminate different tumor regions. We found that post-chemotherapy, viable areas of differentiating NBs and ganglioneuroblastomas are associated with higher MVD compared to poorly differentiated NBs. Early necrotic regions showed higher MVD than late necrotic and viable regions. Finally, calcified areas showed significantly lower MVD than any other histological component. The acquired PAI images showed a good high-resolution ex vivo 3D delineation of NB margins. Overall, these results suggest that a high-definition preclinical imaging device such as PAI could potentially be exploited to guide surgical resection by identifying different vasculature signatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a method for carrying out a quantitative assessment of the mechanical properties of soft tissues in terms of stiffness. In stroke survivors, the paretic muscles may develop hypertonia due to both neural-mediated mechanisms and structural alterations with consequent muscular fibrous-fatty remodeling. Methods: Fourteen adult patients with spastic dystonia following stroke were recruited. Muscle hypertonia was assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Muscle activation was measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) with the selected muscle in shortened (spastic dystonia) and stretched (dynamic stretch reflex) positions. SWE was performed on a selected paretic muscle and on the contralateral non-paretic one to calculate shear wave velocities (SWV) along and across muscular fibers. The modified Heckmatt scale (MHS) pattern was also determined. All evaluations were performed shortly before BoNT-A injections (T0) and one month later (T1). Results: All SWV on paretic muscles were higher than contralateral non-paretic ones (p < 0.01). After BoNT-A injection, a significant reduction in MAS (p = 0.0018), spastic dystonia (p = 0.0043), and longitudinal SWE measurements, both in shortened (p = 0.001) and in stretched muscular conditions (p = 0.0029), was observed. No significant changes in SWV on non-paretic muscles were observed. Higher SWV resulted along the direction of muscular fibers vs. across them (p = 0.001). No changes resulted from the MHS evaluations after BoNT-A. There was a positive correlation between MHS scores and SWV values while the muscle was in the shortened position, but not with spastic dystonia recorded by sEMG. Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating the effect of BoNT-A on muscle hypertonia following stroke, assessed by both SWE and sEMG. These findings support SWE as a useful method to disclose intrinsic muscular remodeling, independently of the effect of spastic dystonia, in particular, while muscles were assessed in a neutral position. SWE measurements of muscle stiffness cannot tell apart neural-mediated and intrinsic muscle hypertonia. Interestingly, when sEMG activity is very limited, as in spastic muscles kept in a shortened position, SWE can provide a measurement of stiffness due almost completely to intrinsic muscle changes. Alongside sEMG, SWE could aid clinicians in the assessment of responses to treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trecastagni Fault (TF) is an important tectonic structure in the middle-lower southern flank of Mt. Etna volcano. It is characterised by evident morphological slopes with normal dip-slip ruptures that directly affect roads and buildings. The TF plays a key role in the complex framework of the volcano dynamics since it represents part of the southern boundary of the unstable sector. Seismic surveys have been performed on three different areas of the fault to gain insights into the seismic stratigraphic structure of the subsoil. We considered the seismic activity of a sector of the territory affecting the surface evidence of the Trecastagni Fault in the period between 1980 and 2021 in order to highlight the main seismic release and define the space–time distribution of seismicity. Most of the seismicity is located in the north-western portion, while the central and southern sectors are characterised by low seismic activity. The strongest earthquakes occur mainly within the first 5 km of depth in the form of swarms and/or isolated shocks. Ground deformation techniques (levelling, In-SAR and two continuous extensometers) evidence a continuous aseismic slip of the TF that is interrupted by short accelerations accompanied by shallow seismicity. The Trecastagni Fault dynamics are strictly linked to magma pressurisation and intrusive episodes of Mt. Etna that induce additional stress and promote its slip along the fault plane. Multidisciplinary data analysed in this work, evidenced the dual behaviour of the fault, from aseismic creep to stick-slip, and the relation with magmatic activity, also suggesting the time delay in the response of the fault after the intense stress induced by dyke intrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first case of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) using indocyanine green (ICG) in a pediatric redo-Nissen fundoplication. The patient is a 17-year-old male with recurrent gastroesophageal symptoms who underwent primary antireflux surgery at 10 months of age. During the redo fundoplication, ICG was intravenously administered to help the visualization during the adhesiolysis between liver, stomach and right crus of the diaphragm and to spare small oesophageal vessels and the left gastric artery. In this case, FGS made the surgery easier than usual and likely reduced the risk of intra-operative complications. Therefore, we believe that this new technology should be regularly used in these types of complex intra-abdominal redo operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. High-risk neuroblastoma is the most frequent presentation with an overall survival of approximately 50%. 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy in the assessment of the primary tumor and its metastases at diagnosis and after chemotherapy is a cornerstone imaging modality. In particular, the bulk of skeletal metastatic disease evaluated with 123I-mIBG at diagnosis and the following chemotherapy has a prognostic value. Currently, single-photon emission computerized tomography/computerised tomography (SPECT/CT) is considered a fundamental part of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy. 123I-mIBG SPECT/CT is a highly specific and sensitive imaging biomarker and it has been the basis of all existing neuroblastoma trials requiring molecular imaging. The introduction of SPECT/CT has shown not only the heterogeneity of the mIBG uptake within the primary tumor but also the presence of completely mIBG nonavid metastatic lesions with mIBG-avid primary neuroblastomas. It is currently possible to semi-quantitatively assess tracer uptake with standardized uptake value, which allows a more precise evaluation of the tracer avidity and can help monitor chemotherapy response. The patchy mIBG uptake has consequences from a theranostic perspective and may partly explain the failure of some neuroblastomas to respond to 131I-mIBG molecular radiotherapy. Various positron emission tomography tracers, targeting different aspects of neuroblastoma cell biology, are being tested as possible alternatives to 123I-mIBG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood, accounting for approximately 15% of all cancer-related deaths in the paediatric population1. It is characterised by heterogeneous clinical behaviour in neonates and often adverse outcomes in toddlers. The overall survival of children with high-risk disease is around 40–50% despite the aggressive treatment protocols consisting of intensive chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation2,3. There is an ongoing research effort to increase NB’s cellular and molecular biology knowledge to translate essential findings into novel treatment strategies. This review aims to address new therapeutic modalities emerging from preclinical studies offering a unique translational opportunity for NB treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High‐risk neuroblastoma (HR‐NB) has a variable response to preoperative chemotherapy. It is not possible to differentiate viable vs. nonviable residual tumor before surgery. Purpose To explore the association between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI), 123I‐meta‐iodobenzyl‐guanidine (123I‐mIBG) uptake, and histology before and after chemotherapy. Study Type: Retrospective. Subjects: Forty patients with HR‐NB. Field Strength/Sequence: 1.5T axial DW‐MRI (b = 0,1000 s/mm2) and T2‐weighted sequences. 123I‐mIBG scintigraphy planar imaging (all patients), with additional 123I‐mIBG single‐photon emission computed tomography / computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging (15 patients). Assessment ADC maps and 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT images were coregistered to the T2‐weighted images. 123I‐mIBG uptake was normalized with a tumor‐to‐liver count ratio (TLCR). Regions of interest (ROIs) for primary tumor volume and different intratumor subregions were drawn. The lower quartile ADC value (ADC25prc) was used over the entire tumor volume and the overall level of 123I‐mIBG uptake was graded into avidity groups. Statistical Tests: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression were used to compare ADC and MIBG values before and after treatment. Threshold values to classify tumors as viable/necrotic were obtained using ROC analysis of ADC and TLCR values. Results: No significant difference in whole‐tumor ADC25prc values were found between different 123I‐mIBG avidity groups pre‐ (P = 0.31) or postchemotherapy (P = 0.35). In the "intratumor" analysis, 5/15 patients (prechemotherapy) and 0/14 patients (postchemotherapy) showed a significant correlation between ADC and TLCR values (P < 0.05). Increased tumor shrinkage was associated with lower pretreatment tumor ADC25prc values (P < 0.001); no association was found with pretreatment 123I‐mIBG avidity (P = 0.17). Completely nonviable tumors had significantly lower postchemotherapy ADC25prc values than tumors with >10% viable tumor (P < 0.05). Both pre‐ and posttreatment TLCR values were significantly higher in patients with >50% viable tumor than those with 10–50% viable tumor (P < 0.05). Data Conclusion: 123I‐mIBG avidity and ADC values are complementary noninvasive biomarkers of therapeutic response in HR‐NB. Level of Evidence: 4. Technical Efficacy Stage: 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) provides specific real-time visualization of tumors, but intensity-based measurement of fluorescence is prone to errors. Multispectral imaging (MSI) in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) has the potential to improve tumor delineation by enabling machine-learning classification of pixels based on their spectral characteristics. Determine whether MSI can be applied to FGS and combined with machine learning to provide a robust method for tumor visualization. A multispectral SWIR fluorescence imaging device capable of collecting data from six spectral filters was constructed and deployed on neuroblastoma (NB) subcutaneous xenografts (n = 6) after the injection of a NB-specific NIR-I fluorescent probe (Dinutuximab-IRDye800). We constructed image cubes representing fluorescence collected from ∼850 to 1450 nm and compared the performance of seven learning-based methods for pixel-by-pixel classification, including linear discriminant analysis, k-nearest neighbor classification, and a neural network. The spectra of tumor and non-tumor tissue were subtly different and conserved between individuals. In classification, a combine principal component analysis and k-nearest-neighbor approach with area under curve normalization performed best, achieving 97.5% per-pixel classification accuracy (97.1%, 93.5%, and 99.2% for tumor, non-tumor tissue and background, respectively). The development of dozens of new imaging agents provides a timely opportunity for multispectral SWIR imaging to revolutionize next-generation FGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor ovarian response (POR) is most frequently linked to the condition known as diminished ovarian reserve, but it can also occur in the absence of pathological ovarian reserve tests ('unexpected' POR). Because possible explanations include theca cells function deficiency, our aim was to evaluate the effect of r-LH administration in 'unexpected' poor responders. A retrospective, single-centre, cohort study was conducted on 65 patients with AMH >0.5 ng/ml and/or AFC >5 with POR in their first cycle. Patients underwent a second IVF cycle with same protocol (long- or antagonist) and same starting dose of r-FSH used in the first cycle, plus daily addiction of 150 IU of r-LH from day 1. Compared to the first cycle, r-LH addition in the second cycle determined an increase in number of oocytes retrieved ( p < 0.001), number of metaphase II oocytes ( p < 0.05), E2 levels at hCG triggering ( p < 0.001) and number of embryos transferred ( p = 0.002). A 15% clinical pregnancy rate was also observed in the second cycle. Our results suggest that patients with non-pathological ovarian reserve tests and previous 'unexpected' POR seem to benefit from r-LH addition in subsequent cycles without the need to increase the r-FSH starting dose, possibly due to an underlying occult theca cells deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the applicability of prediction models (PM) of spontaneous pregnancy (SP) in a population of infertile patients from a university-affiliated private assisted reproductive technology center (Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad) and in the reproductive medicine section of a public university hospital (La Fe), both belonging to the same city (Valencia, Spain) between January and December 2008. We calculated the probability of SP using the PM developed by Hunault et al. in our two populations, and observed an estimated probability of SP <40% or the PM applicable in approximately 97% of the studied couples, and statistical differences between pregnancy probabilities in the two settings that were mainly a result of different age, sperm quality, and referral policies, leading us to conclude that the usefulness of PMs is limited in our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro fertilization can be an effective tool to manage the endometriosis-associated infertility, which accounts for 10% of the strategy indications. Nevertheless, a negative effect of endometriosis on IVF outcomes has been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of endometriosis in the development of embryos at cleavege stage in assisted reproduction treatment cycles. A total of 429 cycles from women previously operated for moderate/severe endometriosis were compared with 851 cycles from non-affected women. Patients were matched by age, number of oocyte retrieved and study period. A total of 3818 embryos in cleavage stage have been analyzed retrospectively. Overall, no difference was found between women with and without endometriosis regarding the number of cleavage stage embryos obtained as well as the percentage of good/fair quality embryos. Excluding cycles in which no transfers were performed or where embryos were frozen in day three, no difference was observed for blastulation rate or the percentage of good/fair blastocysts obtained. Despite similar fertilization rate and number/quality of embryos, a reduction in ongoing pregnancy rate was observed in patients affected, possibly due to an altered endometrial receptivity or to the limited value of the conventional morphological evaluation of the embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is postnatal growth of singletons aged 12 months born after vitrified–warmed blastocyst transfer (frozen embryo transfer [FET]) different from children born after fresh blastocyst transfer? A retrospective cohort study conducted at a single university-affiliated obstetrics and fertility centre between 2014 and 2016. Women who underwent fresh transfer or FET at blastocyst stage and obtained a singleton live birth were included. Propensity score inverse probability weighting was used to balance baseline maternal characteristics between fresh and FET cycles. Of the 382 women with singleton live births, 124 underwent a fresh blastocyst transfer and 258 underwent a FET. Significantly higher birth weight and length z-scores were observed after FET (P = 0.01 and P = 0.002, respectively) compared with the fresh transfer group. At 12 months of age, the fresh and FET groups showed no significant effect on the weight z-score, but the FET was associated with a higher height z-score (P = 0.001) compared with fresh blastocyst transfer. The comparison between males and females from the same study group showed higher birth weight z-score for males in the FET group (P < 0.001). During the first 12 months, however, males in the FET group showed a slower growth trajectory in terms of weight (P = 0.007). At 12 months of postnatal life, an increased height and sex-dependent differences in growth trajectories were observed in singletons born after FET compared with those born after fresh embryo transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the correlation between clinical and hormonal parameters and comorbidity burden in Caucasian women presenting for fertility treatment. Monocentric cross-sectional study including a cohort of 3163 Caucasian women seeking medical care for fertility treatment. All patients underwent centralized laboratory testing for hormonal assessment. Complete clinical and laboratory data from the entire cohort were retrospectively analysed. Comorbidity burden score was assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; categorized as 0 versus 1 versus ≥2). Descriptive statistics and regression models tested the associations between clinical and laboratory parameters and CCI. Among the entire cohort of patients, a CCI = 0 was found in 2977 women (94.1%), and CCI = 1 and CCI ≥2 were found in 113 (3.6%) and 73 (2.3%) patients, respectively. Age (P = 0.009), gravidity (P = 0.001), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH, P < 0.001) and TSH (P = 0.003) values were significantly different among CCI groups. In regression models, age at presentation and AMH emerged as independent indicators of CCI ≥ 1. Age at presentation <36 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.742, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.284–2.364) and an AMH concentration ≤2.3 ng/ml (OR 1.864, 95% CI 1.29–2.69) were the most informative cut-off values for CCI ≥ 1 in the study population. A younger age at presentation and lower AMH concentrations are significant independent indicators of decreased general health in women requiring clinical evaluation for fertility treatment. As observed for sperm parameters in men, AMH might serve as a proxy of women's general health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies evaluating a possible relationship between inherited thrombophilia and the etiology of unexplained infertility have been performed recently. No significant difference in the prevalence of three genetic mutations associated with the increased risk of thrombophilia (Factor V Leiden G1691A, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] C677 T) was found in 100 infertile women with unexplained infertility when compared with 200 control fertile women without an infertility history. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To determine whether the global metabolomic profile of the spent culture media (SCM) of day-3 embryos is different in obese and normoweight women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Design Prospective cohort analysis. Setting IVF clinic. Patient(s) Twenty-eight young, nonsmoking women with normoweight, nonsmoking male partners with mild/normal sperm factors undergoing a first IVF attempt for idiopathic infertility, tubal factor infertility, or failed ovulation induction: obese ovulatory women (n = 12); obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n = 4); normoweight ovulatory women (n = 12). Intervention(s) Fifty μl of SCM collected from two day-3 embryos of each cohort. Main Outcome Measure(s) Metabolomic profiling via ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of SCM from a total of 56 embryos. Result(s) The untargeted metabolomic profile was different in obese and normoweight women. Partial least squares discriminant analysis resulted in a clear separation of samples when a total of 551 differential metabolites were considered. A prediction model was generated using the most consistent metabolites. Most of the metabolites identified were saturated fatty acids, which were detected in lower concentrations in the SCM of embryos from obese women. The metabolomic profile was similar in obese women with or without PCOS. Conclusion(s) The metabolomic profile in the SCM of day-3 embryos is different in normoweight and obese women. Saturated fatty acids seem to be reduced when embryos from obese patients are present. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT01448863 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]