Advancing Precision Rhinoplasty: Preoperative Digital 3D Surgical Planning.

The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy and advantages of utilizing state-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology in preoperative planning for rhinoplasty surgery. It is a study of a single rhinoplasty case that was operated at a tertiary hospital. The patient was assessed through a detailed history, blood investigations, radiological investigations and preoperative 3D (three-dimensional) reconstruction of the face and nose. The study utilized high-resolution CT scans and 3D reconstruction software like 3D (three-dimensional) Slicer and Blender 3D (three-dimensional) to analyze nasal anatomy for preoperative planning in rhinoplasty. External and internal nasal measurements were taken, and axial cross-section analysis was conducted to assess nasal structure deviation. The benefits of 3D (three-dimensional) visualization in surgical planning were evaluated, and surgical management was based on preoperative reconstructions. Comprehensive preoperative evaluations were performed, adhering to ethical guidelines. Preoperative 3D (three-dimensional) reconstruction planning methods facilitated precise surgical planning and execution in rhinoplasty with satisfactory outcomes for both the patient and the surgeon. Incorporating 3D (three-dimensional) reconstruction technology in rhinoplasty preoperative planning enhances surgical precision and patient satisfaction, ensuring optimized surgical outcomes while adhering to ethical standards.

Assessing Receptor Activation in 2D and 3D Cultured Hepatocytes: Responses to a Single Compound and a Complex Mixture.

Responding to global standards and legislative updates in Canada, including Bill S-5 (2023), toxicity testing is shifting towards more ethical, in vitro methods. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell cultures, limited in replicating the complex in vivo environment, have prompted the development of more relevant three-dimensional (3D) spheroidal hepatocyte cultures. This study introduces the first 3D spheroid model for McA-RH7777 cells, assessing xenobiotic receptor activation, cellular signaling, and toxicity against dexamethasone and naphthenic acid (NA)-fraction components; NAFCs. Our findings reveal that 3D McA-RH7777 spheroids demonstrate enhanced sensitivity and more uniform dose-response patterns in gene expression related to xenobiotic metabolism (AhR and PPAR) for both single compounds and complex mixtures. Specifically, 3D cultures showed significant gene expression changes upon dexamethasone exposure and exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity and resistance to the apoptotic effects induced by NAFCs, in comparison to 2D cultures. The optimization of 3D culture conditions enhances the model's physiological relevance and enables the identification of genomic signatures under varied exposures. This study highlights the potential of 3D spheroid cultures in providing a more accurate representation of the liver's microenvironment and advancing our understanding of cellular mechanisms in toxicity testing.

Analyzing Alignment Error in Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove Distance in Clinical Scans Using 2D and 3D Methods.

BACKGROUND: Tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) is often used as a primary metric for surgical decision-making in the treatment of patellofemoral instability (PFI), particularly when considering tibial tubercle transfer. Although TT-TG has high interrater reliability, it is prone to measurement differences caused by the alignment of the patient's leg in a scanner gantry, potentially influencing surgical decision-making. Quantification of this error within the clinical literature remains limited. PURPOSE: To quantify and specify the error in TT-TG caused by leg-scanner alignment by using detailed topographical landmarks and 3-dimensional (3D) analysis of computed tomography scans of patients with PFI. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Three-dimensional models of knees with PFI were created from computed tomography scans and used to identify TT-TG landmarks. TT-TG was measured using the established 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D methods. A model to estimate the differences between these 2 methods was created, and the orientation of the patients' legs in relation to scanner longitudinal axis was measured to validate this model via linear regression. Interrater reliability was calculated via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 44 knees of patients with PFI were analyzed. Differences between the 2D and 3D methods ranged from -4.0 to 14.7 mm (mean ± SD, 2.7 ± 4.1 mm) with a root mean square difference of 4.8 mm. The TT-TG distance of the 2D method (19.8 ± 7.2 mm) was significantly (P = .045) longer than that of the 3D method (17.1 ± 4.9 mm). The variance of the 2D method was significantly larger than that of the 3D method. In total, 13 (29.5%) of the knees had a difference of >5 mm between 2D and 3D TT-TG. The estimation model had an adjusted r2 value of 1.00 and a resulting root mean square difference of 0.21 mm. 3D TT-TGs interrater reliability was good to excellent (ICC, 0.94 [95 CI%, 0.81-0.98]). CONCLUSION: 3D TT-TG can be used to correct scanner-leg alignment errors, some of which are substantial when using only 2D TT-TG measurements. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings in this study suggest a need for caution and awareness of the potential effects of differences in alignment of the axes of the leg and scanner when using purely 2D TT-TG as a basis for surgical planning.

AB089. Improving decision-making in traumatic brain injury patients via 3D volumetric analysis of epidural haematoma.

BACKGROUND: Epidural haematoma (EDH) is a common finding in many traumatic brain injury scenarios, which necessitates surgical evacuation if the volume equals 30 cm3. The Tada formula, despite its convenience, have been observed to inaccurately depict haemorrhage volume, which can lead to inappropriate decision-making. Objective: (I) to determine if there are statistical differences between EDH volumes as calculated using three-dimensional (3D) software versus Tada's formula; and (II) whether this difference leads to differences in treatment options. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT)-scan of 15 traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with EDH in January-February 2024 were obtained, and the volumetric analysis was performed using the (I) 3D Slicer software; and the (II) Tada formula for each scan. In addition, characteristics such as patient demographics and region were noted. We performed a paired t-test to scrutinise whether there were any differences between the volumes obtained via the two methods. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P≤0.05) between the EDH volumes as calculated via 3D software and the Tada formula. We also noted that some patients who should have been treated surgically were not operated on, and vice versa. The process of 3D segmentation only takes an average of 8.2 minutes per patient; which is comparable to using the Tada formula. The inaccuracy of the Tada formula could be attributed to the irregular volume of the bleeding foci, contrary to the prototypical biconvex shape. CONCLUSIONS: 3D segmentation should be routinely employed in EDH and other TBI-related haemorrhage cases when available, to aid in decision-making. Extensive development is needed to explore the utility of 3D software in emergency neurosurgery.

Comparison of dimensions and functional features of mitral and tricuspid annuli in the same healthy adults: insights from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Healthy Study.

Background: Evaluation of mitral (MA) and tricuspid annuli (TA) in the same healthy subject in a non-invasive way in real-life clinical settings makes an opportunity to compare their dimensions and derived functional properties. The purpose of the present cohort study was to investigate whether there are any differences in the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography- (3DSTE-) measured size and derived functional characteristics of the MA and TA in the same healthy adults. Methods: The study comprised 248 healthy adults, in which 3DSTE was performed to determine MA and TA dimensions and functional properties. Due to insufficient image quality, 89 cases were excluded, therefore the remaining population consisted of 159 subjects (age: 35.6±12.9 years, 76 males). Subjects were enrolled on a voluntary basis consecutively between January 2011 and November 2017 in the outpatient clinic of the tertiary cardiology center at the Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, Hungary. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, Fischer's exact test, Pearsons' correlations, interclass correlations and Bland-Altman tests. Results: Same-side MA/TA end-diastolic annular dilation is associated with simultaneous MA/TA end-systolic dilation and vice versa. MA dilation in end-diastole and end-systole results in MA functional improvement/deterioration. Dilation of end-diastolic TA dimensions does not obviously entail differences in TA function. However, similar to MA, more dilated TA in end-systole is associated with impaired TA function. Dilated MA dimensions (end-diastolic MA area: 4.31±0.62 vs. 10.89±1.18 cm2, P<0.05) are not obviously associated with dilated end-diastolic TA dimensions (area: 7.05±1.42 vs. 7.81±1.48 cm2, P=ns) and functional improvement/impairment (fractional area change: 27.5%±10.8% vs. 25.2%±10.6%, P=ns). Conclusions: Dilation of MA and TA is associated with different contralateral responses in morphology and function.

Volumetric Analysis of Carpal Bones by Sex with 3D Slicer Software Program / Análisis Volumétrico de los Huesos del Carpo por Sexo con el Programa de Software 3D Slicer

SUMMARY: In this study, we aim to share the volumes of the carpal bone and the ratio of these volumes to the total volume of wrist bones from Computed Tomography (CT) images obtained from individuals of different ages and sex using 3D Slicer. Right wrist CT images of 0.625 mm slice thickness of 42 healthy individuals (21 female, 21 male) of both sexes were included in our study. Volume calculations were made by loading the images into 3D Slicer, an open-source software package. In this study, mean capitate volume was the largest in both sexes (male 3479.9±679.2; female 2207.1±272.1 mm3), while pisiform had the smallest mean volume (male 810.0±141.2; female 566.6±97.7 mm3). This order was ordered from largest to smallest as hamate, scaphoid, trapezium, lunate, triquetrum, trapezoid, and pisiform. According to this study, carpal bone volumes were larger in males than in females (p0.05). In this study, it was seen that carpal bone volume differed according to sex. However, it was observed that the bone volumes of both sexes took up the same amount in the total bone volume. This information will be very useful in sex determination, 3D anatomical material creation, implant applications and reconstructive surgery.

Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los volúmenes de los huesos del carpo y la relación entre estos volúmenes y el volumen total de estos huesos a partir de imágenes de TC obtenidas de individuos de diferentes edades y sexos utilizando 3D Slicer. En el estudio se incluyeron imágenes de TC del carpo de la mano derecha de los participantes en el estudio, con un grosor de corte de 0,625 mm, en 42 individuos sanos (21 mujeres, 21 hombres) de ambos sexos. Los cálculos de volumen se realizaron cargando las imágenes en 3D Slicer, un paquete de software de código abierto. El volumen medio del hueso capitado fue el mayor en ambos sexos (hombre 3479,9 ± 679,2; mujer 2207,1 ± 272,1 mm3), mientras que el hueso pisiforme tuvo el volumen medio más pequeño (hombre 810,0 ± 141,2; mujer 566,6 ± 97,7 mm3). De mayor a menor el volumen de los otros huesos fue: hamato, escafoides, trapecio, lunato, piramidal, trapezoide y pisiforme. Según este estudio, los volúmenes óseos del carpo eran mayores en hombres que en mujeres (p0,05). En este estudio se observó que el volumen de los huesos del carpo difería según el sexo. Sin embargo, se observó que los volúmenes óseos de ambos sexos ocuparon la misma cantidad del volumen óseo total. Esta información será de gran utilidad en la determinación del sexo, creación de material anatómico 3D, aplicaciones de implantes y cirugía reconstructiva.

Age Estimation Using the Pulp-to-Tooth Area Ratio in an Indian Population Using Cone-Beam Computerised Tomography (CBCT): A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Age estimation, whether for living or deceased individuals, is crucial in forensic sciences. Traditionally, the pulp-to-tooth area ratio determined from periapical radiographs has been employed as a non-invasive method for estimating age. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) represents a newer technique, providing three-dimensional images of teeth in living individuals. AIM: This study aims to estimate age using the pulp-to-tooth area ratio of four teeth (the permanent maxillary central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, and first premolar. STUDY DESIGN: The study included ninety subjects ranging in age from 18 to 70 years. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the correlation between actual age and estimated age varied across different tooth types. There was a strong positive correlation between the maxillary right central incisor and maxillary right canine tooth, while the maxillary left canine tooth exhibited a slightly weaker but still positive correlation. This indicates that the maxillary right central incisor and maxillary right canine tooth are the most reliable for estimating age. Additionally, the study found that the linear regression results for estimating age based on the pulp-to-tooth area ratio, categorised by sex and each type of tooth, showed strong associations between age and the ratio for the maxillary left central incisor and maxillary left canine teeth in males, and for the maxillary left central incisor in females.

Validation of inertial measurement units based on waveform similarity assessment against a photogrammetry system for gait kinematic analysis.

When assessing gait analysis outcomes for clinical use, it is indispensable to use an accurate system ensuring a minimal measurement error. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are a versatile motion capture system to evaluate gait kinematics during out-of-lab activities and technology-assisted rehabilitation therapies. However, IMUs are susceptible to distortions, offset and drifting. Therefore, it is important to have a validated instrumentation and recording protocol to ensure the reliability of the measurements, to differentiate therapy effects from system-induced errors. A protocol was carried out to validate the accuracy of gait kinematic assessment with IMUs based on the similarity of the waveform of concurrent signals captured by this system and by a photogrammetry reference system. A gait database of 32 healthy subjects was registered synchronously with both devices. The validation process involved two steps: 1) a preliminary similarity assessment using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and 2) a similarity assessment in terms of correlation, displacement and gain by estimating the offset between signals, the difference between the registered range of motion (∆ROM), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the interprotocol coefficient of multiple correlation (CMCP). Besides, the CMCP was recomputed after removing the offset between signals (CMCPoff). The correlation was strong (r > 0.75) for both limbs for hip flexion/extension, hip adduction/abduction, knee flexion/extension and ankle dorsal/plantar flexion. These joint movements were studied in the second part of the analysis. The ∆ROM values obtained were smaller than 6°, being negligible relative to the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) estimated for unaffected limbs, and the RMSE values were under 10°. The offset for hips and ankles in the sagittal plane reached -9° and -8°, respectively, whereas hips adduction/abduction and knees flexion/extension were around 1°. According to the CMCP, the kinematic pattern of hip flexion/extension (CMCP > 0.90) and adduction/abduction (CMCP > 0.75), knee flexion/extension (CMCP > 0.95) and ankle dorsi/plantar flexion (CMCP > 0.90) were equivalent when captured by each system synchronously. However, after offset correction, only hip flexion/extension (CMCPoff = 1), hip adduction/abduction (CMCPoff > 0.85) and knee flexion/extension (CMCPoff > 0.95) satisfied the conditions to be considered similar.

Size-Controllable and Monodispersed Lipid Nanoparticle Production with High mRNA Delivery Efficiency Using 3D-Printed Ring Micromixers.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are gaining recognition as potentially effective carriers for delivery of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Much effort has been devoted to the implementation of microfluidic techniques for the production of monodisperse and stable LNPs and the improvement of encapsulation efficiency. Here, we developed three-dimensional (3D)-printed ring micromixers for the production of size-controllable and monodispersed LNPs with a high mRNA delivery efficiency. The effects of flow rate and ring shape asymmetry on the mixing performance were initially examined. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties (such as hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity, and encapsulation efficiency) of the generated LNPs were quantified as a function of these physical parameters via biochemical analysis and cryo-electron microscopy imaging. With a high production rate of 68 mL/min, our 3D-printed ring micromixers can be used to manufacture LNPs with diameters less than 90 nm, low polydispersity (<0.2), and high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>91%). Despite the simplicity of the ring-shaped mixer structure, we can produce mRNA-loaded LNPs with exceptional quality and high throughput, outperforming costly commercial micromixers.

CuFeS2/GAC particle combined with electrochemical activation of persulfates for efficient degradation of carbamazepine.

Electrochemically activated persulfate is a potential advanced oxidation process due to its advantages of environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and convenient operation. An Fe-Cu-S granular activated carbon (CuFeS2/GAC, abbreviated as FCSG) particles electrode was developed and applied to degrade carbamazepine (CBZ) combined with electrochemical activation of persulfate (E-PDS-FCSG) in this work. Compared to two-dimensional electrochemical process (E-PDS), the three-dimensional (3D) E-PDS-FCSG process exhibited higher removal efficiency of CBZ and lower energy consumption. The removal efficiency of CBZ and power consumption increased by 96% and reduced by 67%, respectively. Over 98% of CBZ removal rate was reached within 25 min. Apart from the same free radicals in two-dimensional electrochemical process, both Fe2+ and Cu+ on the surface of three-dimensional particle electrodes can directly activate PDS to produce SO4•-, and the existence of S2- strengthens the circulation of Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu2+/Cu+. Furthermore, FCSG particle electrode can not only directly enhance the activation of PDS, but also accelerate the electron transfer, and then effectively promoting reactive species generation. LC-MS analysis showed that the main degradation pathways of CBZ involved decarbonylation, deamination, dealkylation, ring opening and mineralization. Moreover, after five cycle experiments, over 80% of CBZ removal rate could be achieved, demonstrating that the E-PDS-FCSG system had excellent electrocatalytic performance and good stability. These findings indicate that FCSG is a promising material and could be used as a particle electrode for removing organic pollutants from water.

Material perception across different media-comparing perceived attributes in oil paintings and engravings.

We investigated the influence of the medium on the perception of depicted objects and materials. Oil paintings and their reproductions in engravings were chosen because they are vastly distinctive media while having completely identical content. A total of 15 pairs were collected, consisting of 88 fragments depicting different materials, including fabric, skin, wood and metal. Besides the original condition, we created three manipulations to understand the effect of colour (a greyscale version) and contrast (equalised histograms towards both painting and engraving). We performed rating experiments on five attributes: three-dimensionality, glossiness, convincingness, smoothness and softness. An average of 25 participants finished each of the 20 online experimental sessions (five attributes X four conditions). Besides clear correlations between the two media, the differences mainly show in their means (different levels of perceived attributes) and standard deviations (perceived range). In most sessions, paintings depict a wider range than engravings. In addition, it was the histogram equalisation (global contrast) that made the most impact on perceived attributes, rather than colour removal. This suggests that engravers compensated for the lack of colour by exploiting the possibilities of local contrast.

In-situ grown ternary metal hydroxides@3D oriented crumpled V2C MXene sheets for improved electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.

High valence multi transition metal hydroxides are greatly enriched with OER redox active sites due to strong synergy of heteroatomic nuclei. The efficiency of these redox active sites could be efficiently improved by coupling with highly conductive substrate. The advanced three-dimensional (3D) architecture and hydrophilic terminal functionalities of MXene (MX) considerably enhance the maximum utilization rate of anchored redox active sites by triggering the direct growth of these at MX substrate. Here-in, the freeze-dried 3D network of crumpled Vanadium-Carbide (V2C) MX sheets regulates the crystallization of in-situ grown NiFeCr multi transition metal hydroxides on MX scaffold through co-precipitation process. The XPS results suggest a synergistic chemical interaction of 3D MX scaffold with NiFeCr that modifies the electronic structure of the composite ensuring reduced charge transfer resistance. Besides, as found in FESEM morphological investigation, the well-dispersed NiFeCr multi-transition metal hydroxides are immobilized on open pores like structure of V2C-MX facilitate thoroughly accessible active sites. As a result, the NiFeCr@3D V2C-MX composite has shown an excellent electrocatalytic activity with an overpotential of 410 mV at a current density of 200 mA cm-2, Tafel slope of 100 mV dec in 1M KOH. Besides, the significant interaction between metallic centers and MXene support prevent detachment or agglomeration of active centers providing maximum interaction with the electrolytic ions, quick ionic OH- transportation, speedy and stable electron transfer channels thus ensure the long-term stability of NV-5MX during 53 h continuous operation of OER. Furthermore, we have utilized a more accurate value of half-cell standard reduction potential of the Hg/HgO electrode in the Nernst equation to represent all test voltages and to determine the overpotential values. In essence, this study features a facile approach for the confined growth of multi transition metal hydroxides in the presence of morphologically unique 3D crumpled V2C MXene architectures. Consequently, the increased OER reaction kinetics and improved stability of the synthesized composites are potentially due to synergistic interplay between well dispersed active sites and the conductive substrate.

Three-dimensional cell culture conditions promoted the Mesenchymal-Amoeboid Transition in the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of death among women, primarily due to its potential for metastasis. As BC progresses, the extracellular matrix (ECM) produces more type-I collagen, resulting in increased stiffness. This alteration influences cellular behaviors such as migration, invasion, and metastasis. Specifically, cancer cells undergo changes in gene expression that initially promote an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and subsequently, a transition from a mesenchymal to an amoeboid (MAT) migration mode. In this way, cancer cells can migrate more easily through the stiffer microenvironment. Despite their importance, understanding MATs remains challenging due to the difficulty of replicating in vitro the conditions for cell migration that are observed in vivo. Methods: To address this challenge, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) growth system that replicates the different matrix properties observed during the progression of a breast tumor. We used this model to study the migration and invasion of the Triple-Negative BC (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231, which is particularly subject to metastasis. Results: Our results indicate that denser collagen matrices present a reduction in porosity, collagen fiber size, and collagen fiber orientation, which are associated with the transition of cells to a rounder morphology with bleb-like protrusions. We quantified how this transition is associated with a more persistent migration, an enhanced invasion capacity, and a reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Discussion: Our findings suggest that the proposed 3D growth conditions (especially those with high collagen concentrations) mimic key features of MATs, providing a new platform to study the physiology of migratory transitions and their role in BC progression.

Application of three-dimensional printing in plastic surgery: a bibliometric analysis.

Recent years have seen the publication of numerous papers on the application of three-dimensional (3D) printing in plastic surgery. Despite this growing interest, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the field has yet to be conducted. To address this gap, we undertook a bibliometric study to map out the knowledge structure and identify research hotspots related to 3D printing in plastic surgery. We analyzed publications from 1995 to 2024, found in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), utilizing tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "bibliometrix". Our analysis included 1,057 documents contributed by 5,545 authors from 1,620 organizations across 71 regions, and these were published in 400 journals. We observed a steady growth in annual publications, with Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania leading in research output. Notably, Shanghai Jiao Tong University emerged as a primary research institution in this domain. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery and Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery have made significant contributions to the field, with Thieringer, Florian M being the most prolific and frequently cited author. Key areas of focus include medical education and surgical procedures, with "3D printing", "virtual surgical planning" and "reconstructive/orthognathic surgery" highlighted as future research hotspots. Our study provides a detailed bibliometric analysis, revealing the evolution and progress of 3D printing technologies in plastic surgery. As these technologies continue to advance, their impact on clinical practice and patient lives is expected to be profound.

Bimodal response strategy in Daphnia to ambush predation risk.

Predation's consequences can manifest through either consumptive or nonconsumptive effects, but the prey response may also vary depending on the predator hunting strategy. Considerable attention has been paid to coursing predators, whereas less information is available regarding responses to ambush predators. To remedy this paucity, we utilized a three-dimensional tracking platform to record groups of Daphnia magna under predation risk from the ambush invertebrate predator red-eyed damselfly, Erythromma najas. This design allowed us to test individual antipredator responses in multiple metrics of swimming behaviors. We demonstrate that predation risk was greatest for those that swam at 85% of the available depth and averaged 8.1 mm/s. Examining the swimming behavior of each individual separately showed that predation risk did not affect any of the prey response metrics. Interestingly, however, Daphnia did conform to one of two strategies while under predation risk: either swim fast high up in the water column or swim slowly close to the bottom. Hence, this dichotomous behavior is driven by strategies combining speed and depth in different constellations. In a broader context, our findings highlight the importance of considering both the spatial and temporal dimensions of predation events in order to correctly detect antipredator responses.

Right ventricular longitudinal shortening and right atrial volumes are not associated in healthy adults-detailed analysis from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Healthy Study.

Background: There is a close relationship between volumes of the right atrium (RA) and dimensions and derived functional sphincter-like features of the tricuspid annulus (TA). However, its relation to longitudinal TA motion is not clear, which can even be considered to be a characteristic of the longitudinal shortening of the right ventricle (RV) and represented by TA plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Therefore, the aim of this cohort study was to perform a detailed analysis of the relationship of three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived RA volumes and RV longitudinal shortening in healthy individuals. These parameters were also examined in case of average values and larger/smaller than mean values. Methods: The present study comprised 93 healthy adults (mean age: 27.7±6.3 years, 46 men), who participated in a complete medical investigation including two-dimensional, TAPSE, Doppler and 3DSTE-derived RA volumetric echocardiographic assessments. Results: RA volumes, stroke volumes and emptying fractions were not related to TAPSE. In case of low, mean and high TAPSE, maximum [50.4±22.4 vs. 49.5±15.5 vs. 49.0±15.8 mL, P= not significant (ns)], preatrial contraction (36.9±16.8 vs. 34.5±10.4 vs. 35.6±10.5 mL, P= ns) and minimum (28.7±13.6 vs. 27.2±9.4 vs. 26.6±9.3 mL, P= ns) RA volumes did not differ. Higher RA volumes showed no associations with TAPSE either. Conclusions: 3DSTE-derived RA volumes and M-mode echocardiography-derived TAPSE representing RV longitudinal shortening are not associated in healthy adults. None of the RA volumes showed correlations with TAPSE.

Left ventricular deformation in the presence of left ventricular 'rigid body rotation' in healthy adults-three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic insights from the MAGYAR-Healthy Study.

Background: During the heart cycle, the left ventricle (LV) not only shows a contraction-relaxation pattern, but LV has a rotational mechanics, as well. It is a known fact that certain pathologies may be associated with an absence of LV twist, when LV basal and apical regions rotate in the same clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (ccw) direction called LV 'rigid body rotation' (LV-RBR), but it can also occur in healthy subjects. The present cohort study aimed to examine LV strains in healthy subjects with LV-RBR versus with normally directed LV rotational mechanics by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE). Methods: The study consisted of 181 healthy individuals, from which 171 cases had normally directed LV rotational mechanics (mean age: 32.5±12.3 years, 79 males) and 10 healthy subject showed LV-RBR (mean age: 35.4±11.3 years, 3 males). Complete two-dimensional (2D) Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE were performed in all healthy individuals. Results: None of routine 2D Doppler echocardiographic parameters showed differences between the groups examined. There were no subjects with ≥ grade 1 regurgitation on any valves or with significant stenosis on any valves. 3DSTE-derived LV volumes, global and mean segmental strains did not differ between the groups examined. Apical anterior and lateral segments showed reduced segmental LV circumferential strain (CS) (-18.9%±8.5% vs. -26.7%±10.7%, P=0.02; -27.3%±12.6% vs. -34.8%±13.2%, P=0.08, respectively) and LV area strain (AS) (-26.8%±9.8% vs -36.8%±12.0%, P=0.01; -35.7%±13.2% vs. -45.0%±14.6%) in healthy subjects having LV-RBR as compared to cases with normally directed LV rotational mechanics. These abnormalities were present only in subjects having cwLV-RBR. Conclusions: Although global LV deformation is normal in the presence of LV-RBR in healthy adults, reduction of apical anterior and lateral LV-CS (and LV-AS) are present in cases with cwLV-RBR only suggesting segmental deformation abnormalities.

Trends and future perspectives of 3D printing in prosthodontics.

The three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has led to transformative shift in prosthodontics. This review summarizes the evolution, processing techniques, materials, integration of digital plan, challenges, clinical applications and future directions of 3D printing in prosthodontics. It appraises from the launch of 3D printing to its current applications in prosthodontics. The convergence of printing technology with digital dentistry has facilitated the creation of accurate, customized prostheses, redefining treatment planning, design, and manufacturing processes. The progression of this technology is from generating models to prosthesis like-fixed dental prosthesis (FDP), implants, and splints. Additionally, it exhibits more wide capabilities. The exploration of materials for 3D printing provides various options like polymers, ceramics, metals, and hybrids, each with distinctive properties that are applicable to different clinical scenarios. The combination of 3D-printing technology and digital workflow simplifies the processes of data transfer, computer-aided design (CAD) design to fabrication, decreasing errors and chairside time. The clinical benefits include enhanced accuracy, comfort, conservative lab procedures, and economics. Challenges in the technology involve significant aspects like initial investment, material availability, and skill requirements. Future trends emphasize on research for improved materials, bioprinting integration, artificial intelligence (AI) application, regularization efforts to ensure safe and common use of the technology. 3D printing offers promise in prosthodontics, addressing challenges through research. The material improvements will promote its broader adoption and revolutionize the future of dental rehabilitation.

Three-Dimensional Rotary Culture to Model Mycobacterial Biofilms in Low-Shear Detergent-Free Liquid Suspension.

In vitro biofilm models have allowed researchers to investigate the role biofilms play in the pathogenesis, virulence, and antimicrobial drug susceptibility of a wide range of bacterial pathogens. Rotary cell culture systems create three-dimensional cellular structures, primarily applied to eukaryotic organoids, that better capture characteristics of the cells in vivo. Here, we describe how to apply a low-shear, detergent-free rotary cell culture system to generate biofilms of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The three-dimensional biofilm model forms mycobacterial cell aggregates in suspension as surface-detached biomass, without severe nutrient starvation or environmental stress, that can be harvested for downstream experiments. Mycobacterium bovis BCG derived from cell clusters display antimicrobial drug tolerance, presence of an extracellular matrix, and evidence of cell wall remodeling, all features of biofilm-associated bacteria that may be relevant to the treatment of tuberculosis.

An Automatic Method for Elbow Joint Recognition, Segmentation and Reconstruction.

Elbow computerized tomography (CT) scans have been widely applied for describing elbow morphology. To enhance the objectivity and efficiency of clinical diagnosis, an automatic method to recognize, segment, and reconstruct elbow joint bones is proposed in this study. The method involves three steps: initially, the humerus, ulna, and radius are automatically recognized based on the anatomical features of the elbow joint, and the prompt boxes are generated. Subsequently, elbow MedSAM is obtained through transfer learning, which accurately segments the CT images by integrating the prompt boxes. After that, hole-filling and object reclassification steps are executed to refine the mask. Finally, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is conducted seamlessly using the marching cube algorithm. To validate the reliability and accuracy of the method, the images were compared to the masks labeled by senior surgeons. Quantitative evaluation of segmentation results revealed median intersection over union (IoU) values of 0.963, 0.959, and 0.950 for the humerus, ulna, and radius, respectively. Additionally, the reconstructed surface errors were measured at 1.127, 1.523, and 2.062 mm, respectively. Consequently, the automatic elbow reconstruction method demonstrates promising capabilities in clinical diagnosis, preoperative planning, and intraoperative navigation for elbow joint diseases.