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The virtual crop stands as a vital content in crop model research field, and has become an indispensable tool for exploring crop phenotypes. The focal objective of this undertaking is to realize three-dimensional (3D) dynamic visualization simulations of rice individual and rice populations, as well as to predict rice phenotype using virtual rice. Leveraging our laboratory's existing research findings, we have realized 3D dynamic visualizations of rice individual and populations across various growth degree days (GDD) by integrating the synchronization relationship between the above-ground parts and the root system in rice plant. The resulting visualization effects are realistic with better predictive capability for rice morphological changes. We conducted a field experiment in Anhui Province in 2019, and obtained leaf area index data for two distinct rice cultivars at the tiller stage, jointing stage, and flowering stage. A method of segmenting leaf based on the virtual rice model is employed to predict the leaf area index. A comparative analysis between the measured and simulated leaf area index yielded relative errors spanning from 7.58% to 12.69%. Additionally, the root mean square error, the mean absolute error, and the coefficient of determination were calculated as 0.56, 0.55, and 0.86, respectively. All the evaluation criteria indicate a commendable level of accuracy. These advancements provide both technical and modeling support for the development of virtual crops and the prediction of crop phenotypes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Anatomy-based guidelines for shoulder surgery have established the routine preoperative evaluation of the humeral head. Despite recognized sex differences in humeral head size, there has been limited investigation into sex-specific variations in acromiohumeral contact surface (AHCS) arc length. This study aims to assess sex differences in the AHCS arc length within a sample of the Chinese population. We retrospectively analyzed 169 normal shoulder CT images from a single medical center, collected between 2011 and 2021. The AHCS arc length was defined as the distance from the superior glenoid tubercle to the lateral edge of the greater tuberosity, measured using a three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm. Physiological reference values for the AHCS arc length were determined at three abduction angle intervals. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between the AHCS arc length and abduction angle in both sexes. The reference values for AHCS arc length were significantly lower in women across three abduction angle intervals (male 48.07 ± 3.37 mm vs. female 43.54 ± 2.54 mm, (0-10] °, p < 0.001; male 45.07 ± 2.34 mm vs. female 40.78 ± 2.06 mm, (10-20] °, p < 0.001; male 42.08 ± 2.03 mm vs. female 38.09 ± 2.44 mm, > 20 °, p = 0.001, respectively). Additionally, the AHCS arc length was linearly and negatively correlated with the abduction angle (male R2 = 0.436, p < 0.001; female R2 = 0.434, p < 0.001, respectively). The present study identified a significant sex difference in the anatomical AHCS arc length in a sample of the normal Chinese population. Preoperative assessment of the AHCS arc length may be necessary for certain shoulder surgeries in the future., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patients to publish this paper. Institutional review board statement: The protocol was previously reviewed and approved by Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Ethics and Research Committees ([2022]02-013-01), and with the 1975 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Extraction of mandibular third molars (M3Ms) is a routine procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, often associated with postoperative symptoms like pain, facial swelling, and trismus. This study aimed to introduce a standardized and automated protocol for swelling analysis following M3M surgery, presenting results regarding clinical conditions immediately and one-week after surgery., Methods: In a prospective study, 35 patients were enrolled (mean age: 24.4 ± 5.8 years) for removal of 54 M3Ms. Facial swelling was evaluated through 3D facial scans before surgery (T0), at three days (T1), and seven days (T2) post-surgery. The open-source software 3DSlicer facilitated automated analysis, including data anonymization, orientation, surface registration, qualitative comparisons, linear measurements, and volumetric quantification. Pairwise superimposition of facial models enabled qualitative, vectorial, and quantitative assessments, comparing initial conditions with swelling development at T1 and T2. Additionally, changes between T1 and T2 were also evaluated. Secondary outcomes encompassed clinical evaluations of pain, trismus (maximum mouth opening), and surgery time. Statistical analysis involved the paired Student t-test to assess longitudinal changes and analysis of variance to evaluate outcome variables concerning difficulty scores. Linear regression models correlated primary outcome variables with secondary study variables (α < 0.05)., Results: Longitudinal analysis demonstrated significant but variable facial swelling, pain, and trismus at T1, followed by improvement at T2 (p < 0.001). Linear and volumetric differences correlated positively with surgery time (p < 0.05). A direct proportionality between linear and volume differences was observed, higher values at T1 correlated with higher values at T2 (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: An innovative digital workflow for precise quantification of postoperative facial changes was implemented, incorporating volumetric measurements that surpass linear assessments. Clinical conditions demonstrated a direct correlation with surgery time, deteriorating immediately and improving one-week after surgery., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The experimental protocol was approved by the ethical committee of Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Italy (n. 465/2020). Informed consent was diligently acquired from all subjects and/or their legal guardians. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: With the increasing number of surgeries utilizing spinal instrumentation, three-dimensional surgical navigation aims to improve the accuracy of implant placement. However, its widespread clinical adaption has been hindered by factors such as high radiation exposure and interference with standard surgical workflows., Methods: X23D is a novel AI-based fluoroscopy reconstruction technique that generates a 3D anatomical model of the spine from only four fluoroscopy images. Based on this technology, we developed a prototype for the surgical navigation of pedicle screws placement of the lumbar spine, visualizing the 3D-reconstructed spine anatomy and the surgical drill position in real-time. An ex-vivo study was conducted to compare the accuracy of the X23D-based navigation approach with fluoroscopy-aided freehand instrumentation. Five board-certified surgeons placed pedicle screws on six human torsi within a realistic surgical environment. Breach rate, site and extent (Gertzbein-Robbins) were evaluated in postoperative CT scans, as well as execution time, radiation dose, and user experience. Specimens, operating side, and surgeon were randomised., Results: Forty-nine pedicle screws (n = 24 × 23D, n = 25 2D-fluoroscopy) were evaluated, with six breaches occurring in the control group, one of which was considered clinically significant (medial breach grade C). Five breaches with one clinically significant breach were observed in the X23D group. Breach rate, execution time for each lumbar level (X23D 167 s vs. control 156 s), radiation dose (X23D 33.26 mGy vs. control 49.5 mGy), and user experience did not reveal significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups., Conclusions: Spinal navigation using the X23D-based approach shows promise and performs well in a realistic surgical ex-vivo setting. With further refinements, its accuracy is expected to match clinical-grade navigation systems while reducing radiation dose., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethical approval The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the local ethical committee (Kantonale Ethikkommission Zurich BASEC No. 2021 − 01083). Clinical trial number: not applicable. Consent to participate All human specimens were sourced from Science Care (Phoenix, Arizona). Body donors and their next of kin agreed by written informed consent to the postmortem use of their body for research purposes. Consent for publication All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Written informed consent was obtained from all body donors and their next of kin. Competing interests The authors declare the following personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Mazda Farshad reports a relationship with X23D AG that includes: equity or stocks. Hooman Esfandiari and Philipp Fürnstahl report a relationship with X23D AG that includes: board membership and equity or stocks. Hooman Esfandiari, Philipp Fürnstahl and Mazda Farshad have a patent #WO2023156608A1 pending to University of Zurich. Hooman Esfandiari, Philipp Fürnstahl, Mazda Farshad, and Sascha Jecklin have a patent ”A computer-implemented method, device, system and computer program product for processing anatomic imaging data” pending to University of Zurich., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Glioma refers to a highly prevalent type of brain tumor that is strongly associated with a high mortality rate. During the treatment process of the disease, it is particularly important to accurately perform segmentation of the glioma from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). However, existing methods used for glioma segmentation usually rely solely on either local or global features and perform poorly in terms of capturing and exploiting critical information from tumor volume features. Herein, we propose a local and global dual transformer with an attentional supervision U-shape network called DTASUnet, which is purposed for glioma segmentation. First, we built a pyramid hierarchical encoder based on 3D shift local and global transformers to effectively extract the features and relationships of different tumor regions. We also designed a 3D channel and spatial attention supervision module to guide the network, allowing it to capture key information in volumetric features more accurately during the training process. In the BraTS 2018 validation set, the average Dice scores of DTASUnet for the tumor core (TC), whole tumor (WT), and enhancing tumor (ET) regions were 0.845, 0.905, and 0.808, respectively. These results demonstrate that DTASUnet has utility in assisting clinicians with determining the location of gliomas to facilitate more efficient and accurate brain surgery and diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Stiffness-related eye diseases such as keratoconus require comprehensive visualization of the complex morphological matrix changes. The aim of this study was to use three-dimensional (3D) light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to analyze unlabeled corneal tissue samples, qualitatively visualizing changes in corneal stiffness. Isolated porcine corneal tissue samples were treated with either NaCl or 0.1% glutaraldehyde (GTA) prior to clearing with benzyl alcohol/benzyl benzoate (BABB) and subsequently scanned with LSFM. After analysis of the LSFM data sets, the samples were embedded in paraffin to validate the results by conventional planar microscopy. In the unlabeled corneal tissue samples the 2D/3D morphology of the entire tissue volume was identified by specific autofluorescence signals. An enhancement of collagen crosslinking was induced by applying GTA to the corneal tissue. Subsequent LSFM scans showed specific morphological changes due to altered autofluorescence signals of the corneal stroma, which were confirmed by conventional histology. Therefore, LSFM analysis of corneal tissue samples allowed label-free 3D autofluorescence assessment of the corneal morphology in its anatomical context. It provides the technical basis for the examination of the pathologically altered cornea and facilitates ophthalmologic examinations of corneal diseases based on the altered tissue stiffness., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: To determine whether three-dimensional measurements can assess symmetry and mandibular position with greater accuracy than traditional two-dimensional measurements., Methods: Mimics 19 software was used for three-dimensional measurements of 20 adult female patients' cone-beam computed tomography with deep overbite before and after flat bite plate treatment. Differences in mandible position and bilateral symmetry were assessed using the paired t test., Results: Three-dimensional measurements showed that the condylar distance in the pogonion-Frankfort horizontal, pogonion-coronal, right and left gonion-coronal planes was significantly higher after flat bite plate treatment. However, flat bite treatment did not affect the distance between the vertex of the condyles and the gonion of each measurement reference plane. After flat bite plate treatment, the mandibles of adult female patients had rotated backward and downward, with the condyle as the centre; the chin had been backward. Bilateral symmetry remained unchanged., Conclusions: Flat bite plate treatment in adult female patients resulted in a downward and downward rotation of the mandible, with the condyle as the centre, chin backward, and no significant change in bilateral symmetry., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study was approved by the Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University Ethics Committee, and abided by the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration. This study obtained informed consent from patients. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Assessing the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of various substances and processes is crucial due to their complexity and resource intensity. The chicken embryo (CE) serves an ideal model for simulating the first months of mammalian embryonic development. This makes the CE a reliable model for testing teratogenic effects, particularly in relation to the nervous system (NS), which experiences developmental abnormalities second in frequency only to cardiovascular teratogenic disorders. Microcomputed tomography (μCT) is a promising method for studying these processes. The advantages of μCT include relatively high research speed, diagnostic accuracy, high resolution and the ability to visualize the entire internal 3D structure of an object while preserving for other types of research. At the same time, there are practically no available databases of normative μCT data, both qualitative and quantitative, which would act as a starting point for screening detection of abnormalities in the development of the NS. In this study, we present a simple method for obtaining very detailed quantitative sets of 2D and 3D μCT data of NS structures of the CE (Gallus Gallus domesticus) at HH22-HH41 embryonic stages with contrasting by 1% phosphotungstic acid. The results of μCT demonstrate the exact boundaries, high general and differentiated contrast of the main and specific structures of the NS of CE, which are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to results of histological analysis. Calculations of the X-ray density and volume of the main structures of the NS at constant exponential growth are presented. In addition to the increase in linear dimensions, significant changes in the structures of various parts of the brain were identified and visualized during the CE development at HH22 to HH41 embryonic stages. The data presented establish the first methodology for obtaining normative data, including subtle localized differences in the NS in CE embryogenesis. The data obtained open up new opportunities for modern embryology, teratology, pharmacology and toxicology., Competing Interests: No any competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Rzhepakovsky et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Routine histochemical techniques are capable of producing vast amount of information from diverse sample types, but these techniques are limited in their ability to generate 3D information. Autofluorescence imaging can be used to analyse samples in 3D but it suffers from weak/low signal intensities. Here, we describe a simple chemical treatment with glutaraldehyde to enhance autofluorescence for 3D fluorescence imaging and to generate detailed morphological images on whole-mount samples. This methodology is straightforward and cost-effective to implement, suitable for a wide range of organisms and sample types. Furthermore, it can be readily integrated with standard confocal and fluorescence microscopes for analysis. This approach has the potential to facilitate the analysis of biological 3D structures and research in developmental biology, including studies on model and non-model organisms., Competing Interests: Competing interests University of Turku has registered a trademark 3DFLUOHISTO®. University of Turku, IP and MN are preparing commercialization of the 3DFLUOHISTO® method for 3D morphological imaging of biological samples., (© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Background: 3D brachial plexus MRI scanning is prone to examination failure due to the lengthy scan times, which can lead to patient discomfort and motion artifacts. Our purpose is to investigate the efficacy of artificial intelligence-assisted compressed sensing (ACS) in improving the acceleration efficiency and maintaining or enhancing the image quality of brachial plexus MR imaging., Methods: A total of 30 volunteers underwent 3D sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolution short time inversion recovery using a 3.0T MR scanner. The imaging protocol included parallel imaging (PI) and ACS employing acceleration factors of 4.37, 6.22, and 9.03. Radiologists evaluated the neural detail display, fat suppression effectiveness, presence of image artifacts, and overall image quality. Signal intensity and standard deviation of specific anatomical sites within the brachial plexus and background tissues were measured, with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) subsequently calculated. Cohen's weighted kappa (κ), One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni-adjusted significance level. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: ACS significantly reduced scanning times compared to PI. Evaluations revealed differences in subjective scores and SNR across the sequences (P < 0.05), with no marked differences in CNR (P > 0.05). For subjective scores, ACS 9.03 were lower than the other three sequences in neural details display, image artifacts and overall image quality. There was no significant difference in fat suppression. For objective quantitative evaluation, SNR of right C6 root in ACS 6.22 and ACS 9.03 was higher than that in PI; SNR of left C6 root in ACS 4.37, ACS 6.22 and ACS 9.03 was higher than that in PI; SNR of medial cord in ACS 6.22, ACS 9.03 was higher than that in PI., Conclusion: Compared with PI, ACS can shorten scanning time while ensuring good image quality., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study was conformed to the ethical guidelines of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki as reflected by prior approval from ethical review committee of the Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University(2022-P1-020–02). All subjects were informed and signed informed permission. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In circumstances where antemortem information concerning the deceased individual is unavailable, forensic experts prepare biological profiling for unidentified human remains that aids in narrowing the search for identity. Biological profiling includes basic demographic information such as sex, age, stature, and ethnicity. Sex identification is the first and key step in the biological profiling of unidentified human remains, as it effectively reduces potential matches by excluding nearly one-half of the suspected cases and facilitates the subsequent stages. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting sex by analysing mandibular canine dimensions, mandibular intercanine distance (MICD), and mandibular canine index (MCI) obtained from three-dimensional (3D) digital impressions captured by using an intraoral scanner (IOS). The results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test indicated that mean mandibular canine width (MeanMCW) had the highest sexual dimorphism with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.912, and the Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB) classifier demonstrated the highest testing accuracy among all machine learning (ML) models, achieving an accuracy of 92.5%. While the outcomes of this study are promising, further studies are imperative to validate these findings with larger sample sizes in different ethnic populations., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The orbital bone presents a closed curve, and fracture results in disfigurement. An image analysis procedure was developed to examine before and after corrective surgery. An ellipse and circumscribed contour embodied the closed curve. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images were collected from 25 patients. Orbital rim data were generated, and binary images were created to facilitate closed curve analysis. Various indices, including the solidity value (closed curve area/convex hull area) and ellipse distance (discrepancy between the closed curve and the ellipse traversing the curve), were utilized. The ratios of various indices-including the number of vertices, solidity value, and ellipse distance-between the affected and unaffected sides showed postoperative values that were closer to 1, which would indicate perfect symmetry, than the preoperative measurements (P < 0.05). The solidity value increased, while both the ellipse distance and curvature values decreased, reflecting the transformation of bends into smooth contours following reduction surgery (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between 1-solidity, ellipse distance, and curvature using the Pearson correlation test (P < 0.05). This study validated postoperative changes in various indices and established correlations among multiple values, specifically solidity, ellipse distance, and curvature. Employing multiple indices with mutual complements has provided objective information confidently., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The use of clear aligners (CAs) for orthodontic treatment has substantially increased in recent decades. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding their potential effects on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of maxillary molar distalization on the positional and dimensional TMJ parameters between CAs and conventional fixed orthodontic appliances (FAs) in skeletal class II malocclusion., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study examined 70 adult patients with skeletal class II malocclusion with similar baseline characteristics based on American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) discrepancy index scores. The patients were treated by maxillary distalization movement by CAs or FAs, of which there were two equal groups of 35 patients were included in each group. CBCTs on TMJs were performed before and after treatment through Anatomage Invivo Dental 6.0. The measured parameters included inclination, position, condyle and articular fossa dimensions, and the volumetric joint spaces., Results: In both groups, linear measurements of the maxillary molar position revealed significant improvement after treatment (P < 0.001). Regarding TMJ parameters, intra-group comparisons revealed significant changes in FA group in the anterioposterior condylar inclination and condylar position across the three planes. Additionally, the pretreatment-centric condylar position in the glenoid fossa was 45.7% and 40% in the CA and FA groups, respectively. After treatment, these percentages changed to 51.4% and 31.4%, respectively. In inter-group comparisons, significant changes were noted in the mediolateral condylar position, which was more inward in the FA group than the CA group., Conclusion: The FA group had more significant dimensional and positional changes in the mandibular condyle than the CA group; nevertheless, the changes are considered clinically negligible., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This retrospective cohort study was reviewed and approved by the Regional Review Board of China Medical University Stomatological Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (registration no. CMUKQ-2022-059) and also met the ethical principles of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided informed consent to participate in the study. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Early detection and accurate diagnosis of brain morphological abnormalities are essential for the effective management and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful support tool to aid in disease diagnosis and prediction. In this research study, we present an innovative approach to predict Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using MRI data, which integrates regional interest (ROI)-based methodology and deep learning within a comprehensible framework. The proposed method involves dividing the brain into 138 predetermined sections based on anatomical information. Next, we apply three-dimensional vision transformers (3D-ViTs) to each ROI individually, harnessing the power of deep learning. To improve prediction accuracy, we employ a deep belief network (DBN) as an ensemble learning model. Evaluating our approach on the baseline structural MRI dataset obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort, and comparing it against five other competing models, we demonstrate its performance across four binary classification tasks and a three-class classification test (AD vs MCI vs CN (Cognitively Normal)). The proposed system outperforms existing models and provides interpretable insights into the brain regions that significantly contribute to solving each classification problem. Our findings align with the existing body of literature and hold promise for guiding future research directions in this domain., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests, (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cervical pedicle screws (CPS) provide biomechanically superior fixation compared to other techniques but are technically more demanding. Navigated CPS placement has been increasingly reported as a safe and accurate technique, yet there are few studies comparing different combinations of imaging and navigation systems under comparable conditions. With this study, we aimed to compare different imaging and navigation systems for CPS placement in terms of accuracy, screw placement time and applied radiation dose. For this experimental study, navigated CPS placement was performed at levels C2 to C7 in 24 identical radiopaque artificial spine models by two surgeons with different levels of experience using three different combinations of intraoperative 3D imaging devices and navigation systems. Accuracy, time and radiation dose were compared between the groups. In total, 288 screws were placed. Accuracy was > 98% in all groups with no significant differences between groups or between surgeons (P = 0.30 and P = 0.31, respectively), but the inexperienced surgeon required significantly more time (P < 0.001). Radiation dose was significantly higher with iCT compared to CBCT (P < 0.0001). Under experimental conditions, accuracy rates of > 98% were achieved for navigated CPS placement regardless of the imaging modality or navigation system used. Radiation doses were significantly lower for CBCT compared to iCT guidance., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The research group MINTOS had grants/grants pending and technical support from Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) and Nuvasive Inc. (San Diego, California, USA). The funders were not involved in the study conceptualization, design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish or the preparation of the manuscript. PAG serves as unpaid member of a consulting/advisory board for Siemens Healthineers. The other authors declare that they have no financial or non-financial interests to disclose. IRB approval Not applicable due to the experimental character of the study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-fraction reproducibility and intra-fraction stability of breast radiotherapy using voluntary deep-inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and free breathing (FB) based on an optical surface imaging system (OSIS)., Methods: Seventeen patients (510 breath-hold sessions) treated using a field-in-field (FiF) technique and twenty patients (600 breath-free sessions) treated with a volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique were included in this retrospective study. All the patients were positioned with the guidance of CBCT and OSIS, and also monitored with OSIS throughout the whole treatment session. Eight setup variations in three directions were extracted from the treatment reports of OSIS for all sessions and were subsequently manually introduced to treatment plans, resulting in a total of 296 perturbed plans. All perturbed plans were recalculated, and the dose volume histograms (DVH) for the target and organs at risk (OAR) were analyzed., Results: The OSIS and CBCT for both DIBH and FB treatments showed a good agreement of less than 0.30 cm in each direction. The intra-fraction respiratory motion data during DIBH were -0.06 ± 0.07 cm, 0.12 ± 0.15 cm, and 0.12 ± 0.12 cm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, respectively; for FB, the respiratory motion data were -0.02 ± 0.12 cm, 0.08 ± 0.18 cm, and 0.14 ± 0.20 cm, respectively. For the target, DIBH plans were more sensitive to setup errors; the mean deviations in D 95 for CTV were 39.78 Gy-40.17 Gy for DIBH and 38.46 Gy-40.52 Gy for FB, respectively. For the OARs, the mean deviations of V 10 , V 20 , and D mean to the heart; V 5 , V 20 , and D mean to the ipsilateral lung; and D mean to the breast were lower for the FB plan compared with the DIBH plan., Conclusion: Based on OSIS, our results indicate that both DIBH and FB can provide good reproducibility in the inter-fractions and stability in the intra-fractions. When the patient respiratory motion is large, the FB technology has greater possibility for the undercoverage of the target volume, while DIBH technology is more likely to result in increases in dose to OARs (the lung, heart, and contralateral breast)., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This retrospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our hospital (Approval Number No. SCCHEC-02-2021-026). Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In patients with anterior shoulder instability (ASI), a chronic imbalance might exist between the anterior and posterior shoulder muscles (i.e., subscapular [Ssc] vs. infraspinatus and teres minor [Isp + TM]). The balance could be evaluated as the ratio of volume (VR Ssc/Isp+TM ) and computed tomography density (CT-DR Ssc/Isp+TM ) using a 3D sectional approach. A total of 28 CT images (19 patients) of non-pathological shoulders (clavicular fracture [CF]) and 17 CT images (17 patients) of ASI were used. Segmentation of Ssc and Isp + TM muscles was performed; the reconstructed models were separated by the Y-view plane and the planes situated 2.5 cm and 5 cm medial to the Y-view plane to generate muscle models. VR Ssc/Isp+TM and CT-DR Ssc/Isp+TM were measured in each section of both the groups, as well as in whole muscle measurements in the CF group. VR Ssc/Isp+TM and CT-DR Ssc/Isp+TM obtained through a 3D sectional approach in the CF group were comparable to the whole muscle measurements, with a value of 1.06 for both. In the ASI group, the VR Ssc/Isp+TM was higher, whereas the CT-DR Ssc/Isp+TM was lower than those in the CF group. The VR Ssc/Isp+TM and CT-DR Ssc/Isp+TM appeared to be balanced in the CF group. However an imbalance was observed in the ASI group. Our 3D sectional measurement approach has the potential to assess the balance between the anterior and posterior shoulder muscles in ASI., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

We demonstrate a new tomographic imaging device for 2D cross-sectional and 3D volumetric images of the anterior eye segment. The optical system combines optical sectioning with a stereoscopic camera setup to determine the true spatial location of the ocular structures. Moreover, we propose a calibration procedure to estimate the triangulation function that links the stereo camera pixel indices with the eye-referenced 3D spatial coordinates. The proposed instrument will image the entire anterior chamber and contiguous structures, including the corneal limbus, sclera and eyelids. Furthermore, the system can obtain corneal topography. Finally, we studied the repeatability of the instrument and its agreement with a commercial Scheimpflug imaging tomographer in a group of healthy subjects., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests AJV, DH and SC are inventors and applicants of the provisional Patent 63/644,464, which describes the methodology for 3D tomographic reconstruction. AM, TKR and DK declare no potential conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Estimation of cochlear length is gaining attention in the field of cochlear implants (CIs), mainly for selecting of CI electrode lengths. The currently available tools to estimate the cochlear duct length (CDL) are only valid for normal inner anatomy. However, inner ear malformation (IEM) types are associated with different degrees of cystic apices, limiting the application of CDL equations of normal anatomy inner ear. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the degree to which the outer wall (OW) is observed in different malformation types and to formulate mathematical equations to estimate the OW length (OWL) from cochlear parameters, namely the basal turn diameter (A-value) and width (B-value). Three-dimensional (3D) segmentation of promontory and fluid parts of the inner ear was performed to understand the extent to which the OW is visible to measure the OWL manually. Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVAS) was diagnosed in 37 ears, which consistently showed the extent of the OW to an angular depth of 540°, beyond which the cystic apex starts. Incomplete partition (IP) type I was observed in 30 ears, with the OW extending to only 360° of angular depth. IP type II was observed in 35 ears, with the OW extending to 450° of angular depth. IP type III was identified in 24 ears, with the OW observed for 540° of angular depth. Cavity-type malformations were observed in 36 ears, and circumference was measured in the axial view. A strong positive linear correlation was observed between the manually measured OWL and cochlear parameters for all malformation types analyzed. A multiple linear regression model was applied to formulate mathematical equations, which was further used to create a software application for estimating OWLs in IEM types, using cochlear parameters as inputs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Respiratory compromise among ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients is characterized by restrictive pulmonary function, leading to the need for a meticulous assessment of lung volume. Compared with conventional pulmonary function tests (PFTs), CT-based lung volume measurements have superior accuracy and are crucial for understanding functional limitations in AS. This study investigated the correlation between CT lung volume and PFT parameters in AS patients, with a focus on changes in CT parameters and lung volume in patients with compromised pulmonary function., Methods: A total of 79 AS patients were included, and their full-length radiographs, thoracic CT scans, and PFT data were analysed. Specialized software was used to estimate the total and lobar lung volumes from the CT scans. The relationship between lung volume and PFT results was examined, and a multiple linear regression model was constructed to determine the influence of radiographic and CT parameters on total lung volume (TLV). Patients were classified into normal or impaired pulmonary function groups based on PFT outcomes, thus facilitating comparative analyses of radiographic and CT parameters and lung volumes between these groups., Results: Among the 79 AS patients, 19 had normal function, 4 had mixed dysfunction, and 56 experienced restrictive dysfunction. PFT parameters, including FVC, FEV1, TLC, FEV1%, and TLC%, showed varying correlations with TLV and individual lobe volume. Patients with compromised pulmonary function exhibited more pronounced spinal kyphosis and experienced a decline in TLV. Multiple regression analysis revealed that lung height and horizontal and vertical lung diameters independently influenced TLV. Notably, a decrease in lung height was observed in patients with impaired pulmonary function, whereas the horizontal and vertical diameters of the lungs remained stable., Conclusions: In AS patients, TLV was found to be correlated with pulmonary function, particularly parameter such as FVC, FEV1, and TLC. A significant reduction in TLV was observed in those with impaired pulmonary function, with the primary contributing factor being a decrease in lung height., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Visualizing in 3D the histological microanatomy of the human olfactory projection from the olfactory mucosa in the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulbs in the cranial cavity necessitates a workflow for handling a great many sections. Here, we assembled a 3D reconstruction of a 7.45 cm 3 en-bloc specimen extracted from an embalmed human cadaver. A series of 10 µm coronal sections was stained with quadruple fluorescence histology and scanned in four channels. A trained anatomist manually segmented six structures of interest in a subset of the sections to generate the ground truth. Six convolutional neural networks were then trained for automatic segmentation of these structures in 1234 sections. A high-performance computing solution was engineered to register the sections based on the fluorescence signal and segmented structures. The resulting 3D visualization offers several novel didactic opportunities of interactive exploration and virtual manipulation. By extrapolating manual counts of OSNs in a subset of sections to the calculated volume of the envelope of the entire olfactory epithelium, we computed a total of ~2.7 million OSNs in the specimen. Such empirically derived information helps assess the extent to which the organizational principles of the human olfactory projection may differ from those in mice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This cross-sectional observational study aimed to evaluate and compare facial metrics in women aged 20-65 years using a three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry system and to establish standardized values for facial metric variations in different age subgroups. This study included 84 Caucasian women divided into two groups based on their age: group 1 (G1) included women aged 20-40 years and group 2 (G2) included women aged 41-65 years. Twenty-one morphometric points on the face were identified, and the facial images were captured using a 3D stereophotogrammetry system, Twenty-three linear measures and 12 angular measures were evaluated, revealing statistically significant differences in 11 linear and 5 angular measures between the groups. In the G2 group, nasal and mouth width, lip philtrum height, Tragus-Nasion and Tragus-Pronasale lengths were increased, along with increased nasofrontal angle, decreased palpebral fissure inclination, and lip vermilion angles. However, palpebral fissure width and height, binocular width, and lip vermilion height were reduced. The aging process in women causes substantial changes in facial features, particularly in the middle and lower thirds of the face. Conversely, no major changes were observed in the upper third of the face. Our study findings provide potential insights for clinicians in developing facial rejuvenation procedures as well as for forensic purposes and surgical planning. The standardized facial metrics values in different age subgroups can guide clinicians in determining appropriate treatment plans for patients seeking facial rejuvenation.

Automated blood vessel segmentation is critical for biomedical image analysis, as vessel morphology changes are associated with numerous pathologies. Still, precise segmentation is difficult due to the complexity of vascular structures, anatomical variations across patients, the scarcity of annotated public datasets, and the quality of images. Our goal is to provide a foundation on the topic and identify a robust baseline model for application to vascular segmentation using a new imaging modality, Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT). We begin with an extensive review of current machine-learning approaches for vascular segmentation across various organs. Our work introduces a meticulously curated training dataset, verified by double annotators, consisting of vascular data from three kidneys imaged using HiP-CT as part of the Human Organ Atlas Project. HiP-CT pioneered at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in 2020, revolutionizes 3D organ imaging by offering a resolution of around 20 μm/voxel and enabling highly detailed localised zooms up to 1-2 μm/voxel without physical sectioning. We leverage the nnU-Net framework to evaluate model performance on this high-resolution dataset, using both known and novel samples, and implementing metrics tailored for vascular structures. Our comprehensive review and empirical analysis on HiP-CT data sets a new standard for evaluating machine learning models in high-resolution organ imaging. Our three experiments yielded Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) scores of 0.9523, 0.9410, and 0.8585, respectively. Nevertheless, DSC primarily assesses voxel-to-voxel concordance, overlooking several crucial characteristics of the vessels and should not be the sole metric for deciding the performance of vascular segmentation. Our results show that while segmentations yielded reasonably high scores-such as centerline DSC ranging from 0.82 to 0.88, certain errors persisted. Specifically, large vessels that collapsed due to the lack of hydrostatic pressure (HiP-CT is an ex vivo technique) were segmented poorly. Moreover, decreased connectivity in finer vessels and higher segmentation errors at vessel boundaries were observed. Such errors, particularly in significant vessels, obstruct the understanding of the structures by interrupting vascular tree connectivity. Our study establishes the benchmark across various evaluation metrics, for vascular segmentation of HiP-CT imaging data, an imaging technology that has the potential to substantively shift our understanding of human vascular networks., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Micro-CT imaging is a powerful tool for generating high-resolution, isotropic, three-dimensional datasets of whole, centimeter-scale model organisms. At histological resolutions, micro-CT can be used for whole-animal qualitative and quantitative characterization of tissue and organismal structure in health and disease. The small size, global freshwater distribution, wide range of cell size and structures of micron scale, and common use of Daphnia magna in toxicological and environmental studies make it an ideal model for demonstrating the potential power of micro-CT-enabled whole-organism phenotyping. This protocol details the steps involved in D. magna samples preparation for micro-CT, including euthanasia, fixation, staining, and resin embedding. Micro-CT reconstructions of samples imaged using synchrotron micro-CT reveal histological (microanatomic) features of organ systems, tissues, and cells in the context of the entire organism at sub-micron resolution and in 3D. The enabled "3D histology" and 3D renderings can be used for morphometric analyses across cells, tissues, and organ systems., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Ngu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background and Purpose: A cleftlike nonenhancing hypointensity was observed repeatedly in the pituitary gland at the adenohypophysis/neurohypophysis border on contrast-enhanced 3D fat-saturated T1-MPRAGE using clinical 7T MRI. Our primary goal was to assess the prevalence of this finding. The secondary goals were to evaluate the frequency of other incidental pituitary lesions, MRI artifacts, and their effect on pituitary imaging on the contrast-enhanced 3D fat-saturated T1 MPRAGE at 7T., Materials and Methods: One hundred patients who underwent 7T neuroimaging between October 27, 2021, and August 10, 2023, were included. Each case was evaluated for cleftlike pituitary hypointensity, pituitary masses, and artifacts on contrast-enhanced 3D fat-saturated T1 MPRAGE. Follow-up examinations were evaluated if present. The average prevalence for each finding was calculated, as were descriptive statistics for age and sex., Results: A cleftlike hypointensity was present in 66% of 7T MRIs. There were no significant differences between the "cleftlike present" and "cleftlike absent" groups regarding sex ( P  = .39) and age ( P  = .32). The cleftlike hypointensity was demonstrated on follow-up MRIs in 3/3 patients with 7T, 1/12 with 3T, and 1/5 with 1.5T. A mass was found in 22%, while 75% had no mass and 3% were indeterminate. A mass was found in 18 (27%) of the cleftlike present and 4 (13%) of the cleftlike absent groups. The most common mass types were Rathke cleft cyst in 7 (31.8%) patients, "Rathke cleft cyst versus entrapped CSF" in 6 (27.3%), and microadenoma in 6 (22.2%) in the cleftlike present group. There were no significant differences in the mass types between the cleftlike present and cleftlike absent groups ( P  = .23). Susceptibility and/or motion artifacts were frequent using contrast-enhanced 3D fat-saturated T1 MPRAGE (54%). Artifact-free scans were significantly more frequent in the cleftlike present group ( P  = .03)., Conclusions: A cleftlike nonenhancing hypointensity was frequently seen on the contrast-enhanced 3D fat-saturated T1 MPRAGE images at 7T MRI, which most likely represents a normal embryologic Rathke cleft remnant and cannot be seen in lower-field-strength MRIs. Susceptibility and motion artifacts are common in the sella. They may affect image quality, and the artifacts at 7T may lead to an underestimation of the prevalence of the Rathke cleft and other incidental findings., (© 2024 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Background and Purpose: Prediction of aneurysm instability is crucial to guide treatment decisions and to select appropriate patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) for preventive treatment. High-resolution 4D MR flow imaging and 3D quantification of aneurysm morphology could offer insights and new imaging markers for aneurysm instability. In this cross-sectional study, we aim to identify 4D MR flow imaging markers for aneurysm instability by relating hemodynamics in the aneurysm sac to 3D morphologic proxy parameters for aneurysm instability., Materials and Methods: In 35 patients with 37 unruptured IAs, a 3T MRA and a 7T 4D MRI flow scan were performed. Five hemodynamic parameters-peak-systolic wall shear stress (WSS MAX ) and time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS MEAN ), oscillatory shear index (OSI), mean velocity, and velocity pulsatility index-were correlated to 6 3D morphology proxy parameters of aneurysm instability-major axis length, volume, surface area (all 3 size parameters), flatness, shape index, and curvedness-by Pearson correlation with 95% CI. Scatterplots of hemodynamic parameters that correlated with IA size (major axis length) were created., Results: WSS MAX and WSS MEAN correlated negatively with all 3 size parameters (strongest for WSS MEAN with volume ( r = -0.70, 95% CI -0.83 to -0.49) and OSI positively (strongest with major axis length [ r = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.93]). WSS MAX and WSS MEAN correlated positively with shape index ( r = 0.61, 95% CI 0.36-0.78 and r = 0.49, 95% CI 0.20-0.70, respectively) and OSI negatively ( r = -0.82, 95% CI -0.9 to -0.68). WSS MEAN and mean velocity correlated negatively with flatness ( r = -0.35, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.029 and r = -0.33, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.007, respectively) and OSI positively ( r = 0.54, 95% CI 0.26-0.74). Velocity pulsatility index did not show any statistically relevant correlation., Conclusions: Out of the 5 included hemodynamic parameters, WSS MAX , WSS MEAN , and OSI showed the strongest correlation with morphologic 3D proxy parameters of aneurysm instability. Future studies should assess these promising new imaging marker parameters for predicting aneurysm instability in longitudinal cohorts of patients with IA., (© 2024 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Background and Purpose: Intracranial vessel wall imaging is technically challenging to implement, given the simultaneous requirements of high spatial resolution, excellent blood and CSF signal suppression, and clinically acceptable gradient times. Herein, we present our preliminary findings on the evaluation of a deep learning-optimized sequence using T1-weighted imaging., Materials and Methods: Clinical and optimized deep learning-based image reconstruction T1 3D Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrast using different flip angle Evolution (SPACE) were evaluated, comparing noncontrast sequences in 10 healthy controls and postcontrast sequences in 5 consecutive patients. Images were reviewed on a Likert-like scale by 4 fellowship-trained neuroradiologists. Scores (range, 1-4) were separately assigned for 11 vessel segments in terms of vessel wall and lumen delineation. Additionally, images were evaluated in terms of overall background noise, image sharpness, and homogeneous CSF signal. Segment-wise scores were compared using paired samples t tests., Results: The scan time for the clinical and deep learning-based image reconstruction sequences were 7:26 minutes and 5:23 minutes respectively. Deep learning-based image reconstruction images showed consistently higher wall signal and lumen visualization scores, with the differences being statistically significant in most vessel segments on both pre- and postcontrast images. Deep learning-based image reconstruction had lower background noise, higher image sharpness, and uniform CSF signal. Depiction of intracranial pathologies was better or similar on the deep learning-based image reconstruction., Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that deep learning-based image reconstruction-optimized intracranial vessel wall imaging sequences may be helpful in achieving shorter gradient times with improved vessel wall visualization and overall image quality. These improvements may help with wider adoption of intracranial vessel wall imaging in clinical practice and should be further validated on a larger cohort., (© 2024 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Extended reality (XR) technologies are emerging as promising platforms for medical training and procedural guidance, particularly in complex cardiac interventions. This paper presents a high-fidelity methodology to perform real-time 3D catheter tracking and visualization during simulated cardiac interventions. A custom 3D-printed setup with mounted cameras enables biplane video capture of a catheter. A computer vision algorithm processes the biplane images in real-time to reconstruct the 3D catheter trajectory represented by any designated number of points along its length. This method accurately localizes the catheter tip within 1 mm and can reconstruct any arbitrary catheter configuration. The tracked catheter data is integrated into an interactive Unity-based scene rendered on the Meta Quest 3 headset. The visualization seamlessly combines a reconstructed 3D patient-specific heart model with the dynamically tracked catheter, creating an immersive extended reality training environment. Our experimental study, involving six participants, demonstrated that the 3D visualization provided by the proposed XR system significantly outperformed 2D visualization in terms of speed and user experience. This suggests that the XR system has the potential to enhance catheterization training by improving spatial comprehension and procedural skills. The proposed system demonstrates the potential of XR technologies to transform percutaneous cardiac interventions through improved visualization and interactivity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: There are differences in the research results regarding which edge design of occlusal veneers can achieve the best long-term success rate as a relatively new fixed prosthesis restoration method. Further research is needed. The three-dimensional finite element method was used to conduct stress analysis on occlusal veneers of maxillary first permanent molars with different thicknesses and margin preparation designs. The aim of this study was to provide mechanical research evidence and a reference for exploring standardized clinical protocols for the design of occlusal veneer restorations of maxillary first molars., Method: A 3Shape (Intraoral Scanner) was used to scan the maxillary first molar teeth in vitro, after which 3D printing was carried out. Three different edge designs were applied to identical teeth: straight-beveled finishing line(SFL), chamfer finishing line(CFL), and standard cuspal inclination(SCI). Preparation was carried out with a thickness of 0.5 mm. Using the surface deformation feature, the occlusal veneer was thickened to 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, and periodontal ligaments were added. They were then placed into the upper and lower jaws and dental arches. Finite element analysis was performed after applying bite force dispersion to the loading area on the mandible following dynamic contact., Results: (1) As the thickness increased, the maximum Von Mises stress in the occlusal veneers SFL and CFL also increased, while the SCI exhibited the opposite trend. (2). The trend of the maximum Von Mises stress in the adhesive layer decrease gradually with increasing thickness of the occlusal veneer. The stresses of the SFL and CFL is concentrated primarily at the edge position below the functional cusp, resulting in relatively low adhesive stress. However, in the SCI group, the maximum stress at the edge of the adhesive layer exceeds the maximum shear strength of commonly used adhesives., Conclusions: Under the experimental conditions, the mechanical properties of the maximum Von Mises stress in the SFL, CFL, and SCI occlusal veneers meet clinical needs. Incorporating the minimally invasive concept of tooth preservation, a thickness of 1.0 mm are optimal for glass ceramic occlusal veneers on maxillary first molars., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Traditional dental prosthetics require a significant amount of work, labor, and time. To simplify the process, a method to convert teeth scan images, scanned using an intraoral scanner, into 3D images for design was developed. Furthermore, several studies have used deep learning to automate dental prosthetic processes. Tooth images are required to train deep learning models, but they are difficult to use in research because they contain personal patient information. Therefore, we propose a method for generating virtual tooth images using image-to-image translation (pix2pix) and contextual reconstruction fill (CR-Fill). Various virtual images can be generated using pix2pix, and the images are used as training images for CR-Fill to compare the real image with the virtual image to ensure that the teeth are well-shaped and meaningful. The experimental results demonstrate that the images generated by the proposed method are similar to actual images. In addition, only using virtual images as training data did not perform well; however, using both real and virtual images as training data yielded nearly identical results to using only real images as training data., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the computer vision applications that detect, diagnose, or analyse tuberculosis (TB) pathology or bacilli using digitised human lung tissue images either through automatic or semi-automatic methods. We categorised the computer vision platform into four technologies: image processing, object/pattern recognition, computer graphics, and deep learning. In this paper, the focus is on image processing and deep learning (DL) applications for either 2D or 3D digitised human lung tissue images. This review is useful for establishing a common practice in TB analysis using human lung tissue as well as identifying opportunities for further research in this space. The review brings attention to the state-of-art techniques for detecting TB, with emphasis on the challenges and limitations of the current techniques. The ultimate goal is to promote the development of more efficient and accurate algorithms for the detection or analysis of TB, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection., Design: We searched five databases and Google Scholar for articles published between January 2017 and December 2022 that focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection, or tuberculosis pathology using digitised human lung tissue images. Details regarding design, image processing and computer-aided techniques, deep learning models, and datasets were collected and summarised. Discussions, analysis, and comparisons of state-of-the-art methods are provided to help guide future research. Further, a brief update on the relevant techniques and their performance is provided., Results: Several studies have been conducted to develop automated and AI-assisted methods for diagnosing Mtb and TB pathology from digitised human lung tissue images. Some studies presented a completely automated method of diagnosis, while other studies developed AI-assisted diagnostic methods. Low-level focus areas included the development of a novel μ CT scanner for soft tissue image contract, and use of multiresolution computed tomography to analyse the 3D structure of the human lung. High-level focus areas included the investigation the effects of aging on the number and size of small airways in the lungs using CT and whole lung high-resolution μ CT, and the 3D microanatomy characterisation of human tuberculosis lung using μ CT in conjunction with histology and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, a novel method for acquiring high-resolution 3D images of human lung structure and topology is also presented., Conclusion: The literature indicates that post 1950s, TB was predominantly studied using animal models even though no animal model reflects the full spectrum of human pulmonary TB disease and does not reproducibly transmit Mtb infection to other animals (Hunter, 2011). This explains why there are very few studies that used human lung tissue for detection or analysis of Mtb. Nonetheless, we found 10 studies that used human tissues (predominately lung) of which five studies proposed machine learning (ML) models for the detection of bacilli and the other five used CT on human lung tissue scanned ex-vivo., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: to assess and compare the effect of mid-root perforation repair using Biodentine and Portland cement in single-rooted endodontically treated mandibular premolars in terms of stress distribution using finite element analysis (FEA) and fracture resistance test., Methods: In the FEA, an extracted human mandibular premolar tooth was scanned using cone beam computed tomography, and a 3-dimensional (3D) solid model was created. A sound tooth model (ST), an endodontically treated model (ET), an instrumented and mid-root perforated and repaired by Biodentine model (BM), and perforated and repaired by Portland cement model (PCM) were the 4 models simulated. A vertical force of 300 N on the occlusal plane was applied. Evaluation of von Mises stress distribution and maximum displacement were investigated. In the fracture resistance in vitro study, 28 extracted premolars were selected and randomized into 4 groups, (n = 7), (A) is the negative control intact group, (B) is the positive control of endodontically treated group, (C) is mid-root perforated and repaired by Biodentine group and (D) is mid-root perforated and repaired by Portland cement. All Teeth were instrumented except for group A, group B was obturated while groups C and D were instrumented, perforated, repaired, and obturated. All groups were restored coronally except group A. Fracture force was measured; subsequently, the fracture repairability was evaluated. Finally, the data were statistically evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05 and the repairability of teeth after fracture was correlated to the maximum loading using Pearson's coefficient tests., Results: In FEA, Maximum von Mises stress was descending assorted as 121.1 MPa for ET, 115.6 MPa for BM and PCM, and 109 MPa for ST, and in the mid-root area or perforation site were 20 MPa for PCM, 16.17 MPa for BM, 10.16 MPa for ET and 8.1 MPa for ST while the Maximum Displacement was descending assorted as 0.0179 mm for ET, 0.0169 mm for BM and PCM and 0.0151 mm for ST. In the fracture resistance test, Group A showed higher fracture resistance than other groups significantly. There was a non-significant difference between Groups B, C, and D. There was also an insignificant correlation between the maximum loading and the repairability of the tooth after fracture., Conclusion: FEA and fracture resistance test showed that the 2 repair materials are acceptable and recommended in iatrogenic mid-root perforation., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The Research Ethics Committee in the Faculty of Dentistry at Cairo University has approved this research. Consent for publication All images included in this study are original to this research of extracted teeth and upon which mathematical equations are applied on. No patients are involved in this study. Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

(1) Background: Imageless computer navigation systems have the potential to improve the accuracy of acetabular cup position in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Popular imageless navigation methods include locating the patient in a three-dimensional space (registration method) while using a baseline to angle the acetabular cup (reference plane). This study aims to compare the accuracy of different methods for determining postoperative acetabular cup positioning in THA via the direct anterior approach. (2) Methods: Fifty-one participants were recruited. Optical and inertial sensor imageless navigation systems were used simultaneously with three combinations of registration methods and reference planes: the anterior pelvic plane (APP), the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the table tilt (TT) method. Postoperative acetabular cup position, inclination, and anteversion were assessed using CT scans. (3) Results: For inclination, the mean absolute error (MAE) was lower using the TT method (2.4° ± 1.7°) compared to the ASIS (2.8° ± 1.7°, p = 0.17) and APP method (3.7° ± 2.1°, p < 0.001). For anteversion, the MAE was significantly lower for the TT method (2.4° ± 1.8°) in contrast to the ASIS (3.9° ± 3.2°, p = 0.005) and APP method (9.1° ± 6.2°, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusion: A functional reference plane is superior to an anatomic reference plane to accurately measure intraoperative acetabular cup inclination and anteversion in THA using inertial imageless navigation systems.

Volume electron microscopy (VEM) is an essential tool for studying biological structures. Due to the challenges of sample preparation and continuous volumetric imaging, image artifacts are almost inevitable. Such image artifacts complicate further processing both for automated computer vision methods and human experts. Unfortunately, the widely used contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) can alter the essential relative contrast information about some biological structures. We developed an image-processing pipeline to remove the artifacts and enhance the images without CLAHE. We apply our method to VEM datasets of a Microwasp head. We demonstrate that our method restores the images with high fidelity while preserving the original relative contrast. This pipeline is adaptable to other VEM datasets., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Microscopy Society of America.)

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the most responsive foot position for detection of isolated unstable syndesmotic injury., Methods: Fourteen paired human cadaveric lower legs were positioned in a pressure-controlled radiolucent frame and loaded under 700 N. Computed tomography scans were performed in neutral position, 15° internal / external rotation, and 20° dorsal / plantar flexion of the foot before and after cutting all syndesmotic ligaments. For each position, generated 3D models of the intact and injured distal tibiofibular joints were matched and analyzed by calculating three parameters: diastasis, anteroposterior displacement, and shortening of the fibula., Results: Transection of syndesmotic ligaments resulted in significant posterior translation of the fibula (4.34°, SD 1.63°, p < 0.01) compared to uninjured state for external rotation, significant anterior translation (-2.08°, SD 1.65°, p < 0.01) for internal rotation, and significant posterior translation (1.32°, SD 1.16°, p = 0.01) for dorsiflexion. Furthermore, the syndesmotic injury led to significantly increased clear space (0.46 mm, SD 0.46 mm, p = 0.03) in external rotation of the foot., Conclusion: External rotation of the foot under loading seems to be the most responsive position for detection of isolated syndesmotic instability. Under external rotational stress, anteroposterior instability and increased clear space resulting from a complete isolated unstable syndesmotic lesion were most evident., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Efficient wound assessment is essential for healthcare teams to facilitate prompt diagnosis, optimize treatment plans, reduce workload, and enhance patients' quality of life. In recent years, non-invasive techniques for aiding wound assessment, such as digital photography, 3D modelling, optical imaging, fluorescence and thermography, as well as artificial intelligence, have been gradually developed. This paper aims to review the various methods of measurement and diagnosis based on non-invasive wound imaging, and to summarize their application in wound monitoring and assessment. The goal is to provide a foundation and reference for future research on wound assessment., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Augmented reality technologies provide transformative solutions in various surgical fields. Our research focuses on the use of an advanced augmented reality system that projects 3D holographic images directly into surgical footage, potentially improving the surgeon's orientation to the surgical field and lowering the cognitive load. We created a novel system that combines exoscopic surgical footage from the "ORBEYE" and displays both the surgical field and 3D holograms on a single screen. This setup enables surgeons to use the system without using head-mounted displays, instead viewing the integrated images on a 3D monitor. Thirteen surgeons and surgical assistants completed tasks with 2D and 3D graphical surgical guides. The NASA Task Load Index was used to assess mental, physical, and temporal demands. The use of 3D graphical surgical guides significantly improved performance metrics in cochlear implant surgeries by lowering mental, physical, temporal, and frustration levels. However, for Bonebridge implantation, the 2D graphical surgical guide performed better overall ( p = 0.045). Participants found the augmented reality system's video latency to be imperceptible, measuring 0.13 ± 0.01 s. This advanced augmented reality system significantly improves the efficiency and precision of cochlear implant surgeries by lowering cognitive load and improving spatial orientation.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate stress distribution in unilateral maxillary defects using finite element analysis (FEA) to compare subperiosteal (SI) and zygomatic implants (ZI)., Materials and Methods: A 3D model of a unilaterally atrophied maxilla was reconstructed from CT scans. Five scenarios were simulated: (1) quad zygoma implants (SC1), (2) zygoma and conventional implants (SC2), (3) two-piece SI and conventional implants (SC3), (4) one-piece SI and conventional implants (SC4) and (5) one-piece SI implant (SC5). Mechanical properties were assigned based on data in the literature; a 450 N force for occlusal loading and a 93 N force for oblique loads were applied., Results: Under vertical loading, SC2 exhibited the highest tensile stress (Pmax) in the atrophic region (R-AM), while SC4 showed the lowest Pmax across the entire maxilla, indicating better stress distribution. Under oblique forces, SC2 also showed the highest Pmax in R-AM, while SC5 had the lowest Pmax overall. Minimum principal stress (Pmin) followed similar patterns, with SC4 and SC5 demonstrating lower stress levels than the other scenarios. Abutment stresses were highest in SC2 and lowest in SC4. Overall, the SI scenarios (SC3-SC5) exhibited lower stress transmission to the alveolar bone than the ZI scenarios (SC1 and SC2), with SC4 providing the most balanced stress distribution across all regions., Conclusions: SI implants, mainly the one-piece SI (SC4), offered a more favourable stress distribution than ZI implants in unilateral maxillary defects, reducing the risk of excessive bone stress. This finding suggests that SI implants may be superior for such cases, although individual patient anatomy should guide implant selection. Further clinical studies are necessary to confirm these biomechanical findings in vivo., Clinical Relevance: This study underscores the crucial role of implant selection in minimising stress on the alveolar bone in unilateral maxillary defects. Based on these findings, we recommend personalised implant strategies based on biomechanical insights to enhance outcomes in maxillofacial reconstruction., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is commonly developed in patients at the late stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) with unknown progression mechanisms. From the post-mortem tissues and animal models, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the CA2 regions are closely associated with dementia development in PDD. However, the structural connection between the two regions has not been fully traced. In this study, we applied tissue clearing and adeno-associated virus (AAV) tracing to map the neural circuits in a 3D manner. Hence, we have confirmed the direct connection between the regions with two dual AAV tracing systems and traced the VTA-CA2 circuit in 3D reconstruction. With the immunostaining, we have shown that the GABAergic neurons are the potential subtype of the postsynaptic CA2 neurons in the VTA-CA2 circuit. Under the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), we have demonstrated the degeneration of the VTA-CA2 circuit from the observation of fragmented axonal projections. Collectively, we have first traced the direct connection of the whole VTA-CA2 circuit in an intact 3D manner and monitored the fragmentation of this target circuit in the 6-OHDA model. This VTA-CA2 circuit can be a target for future studies of the pathological spreading and degeneration mechanism from PD to PDD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the residual placental volume and correlated factors using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D) in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) after conservative management., Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2023, we retrospectively reviewed patients with PAS who underwent prophylactic transcatheter arterial embolization and retained the placenta in situ. The residual placental volume was assessed using 3D ultrasound equipped with virtual organ computer-aided analysis. We determined the resorption rate of the residual placenta (RRRP) and analyzed correlated factors., Results: Eighteen patients with PAS were included. The mean RRRP was 152.64 ± 147.97 cm 3 /month. The median natural resorption time was 5.5 months. According to Spearman's correlation, only the initial placental volume was significantly associated with RRRP (p = 0.001, correlation coefficient = 0.701). Initial placental volume was not associated with postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum infection, resume of menstruation, subsequent pregnancy, or mean white blood cell count., Conclusion: 3D ultrasound is useful for measuring the volume of residual placenta. A larger initial placental volume was associated with a higher RRRP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purpose To further define anatomic criteria for resection and ablation using an expert panel-based three-dimensional liver model to objectively predict local treatment recommendations for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Materials and Methods This study analyzed data from participants with small CRLM (≤3 cm) considered suitable for resection, thermal ablation, or irreversible electroporation (IRE), according to a multidisciplinary expert panel, who were included in two prospective multicenter trials (COLLISION [NCT03088150] and COLDFIRE-2 [NCT02082782]) between August 2017 and June 2022. Ten randomly selected participants were used to standardize the model's Couinaud segments. CRLM coordinates were measured and plotted in the model as color-coded lesions according to the treatment recommendations. Statistical validation was achieved through leave-one-out cross-validation. Results A total of 611 CRLM in 202 participants (mean age, 63 [range, 29-87] years; 138 male and 64 female) were included. Superficially located CRLM were considered suitable for resection, whereas more deep-seated CRLM were preferably ablated, with the transition zone at a subsurface depth of 3 cm. Ninety-three percent (25 of 27) of perihilar CRLM treated with IRE were at least partially located within 1 cm from the portal triad. Use of the model correctly predicted the preferred treatment in 313 of 424 CRLM (73.8%). Conclusion The results suggest that CRLM can be defined as superficial (preferably resected) and deep-seated (preferably ablated) if the tumor center is within versus beyond 3 cm from the liver surface, respectively, and as perihilar if the tumor margins extend to within 1 cm from the portal triad. Keywords: Ablation Techniques, CT, MRI, Liver, Abdomen/GI, Metastases, Oncology Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Background and Objective: Accurate segmentation of brain tumors from multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds significant importance in clinical diagnosis and surgical intervention, while current deep learning methods cope with situations of multimodal MRI by an early fusion strategy that implicitly assumes that the modal relationships are linear, which tends to ignore the complementary information between modalities, negatively impacting the model's performance. Meanwhile, long-range relationships between voxels cannot be captured due to the localized character of the convolution procedure., Method: Aiming at this problem, we propose a multimodal segmentation network based on a late fusion strategy that employs multiple encoders and a decoder for the segmentation of brain tumors. Each encoder is specialized for processing distinct modalities. Notably, our framework includes a feature fusion module based on a 3D discrete wavelet transform aimed at extracting complementary features among the encoders. Additionally, a 3D global context-aware module was introduced to capture the long-range dependencies of tumor voxels at a high level of features. The decoder combines fused and global features to enhance the network's segmentation performance., Result: Our proposed model is experimented on the publicly available BraTS2018 and BraTS2021 datasets. The experimental results show competitiveness with state-of-the-art methods., Conclusion: The results demonstrate that our approach applies a novel concept for multimodal fusion within deep neural networks and delivers more accurate and promising brain tumor segmentation, with the potential to assist physicians in diagnosis., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Two-photon high-speed fluorescence calcium imaging stands as a mainstream technique in neuroscience for capturing neural activities with high spatiotemporal resolution. However, challenges arise from the inherent tradeoff between acquisition speed and image quality, grappling with a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to limited signal photon flux. Here, a contrast-enhanced video-rate volumetric system, integrating a tunable acoustic gradient (TAG) lens-based high-speed microscopy with a TAG-SPARK denoising algorithm is demonstrated. The former facilitates high-speed dense z-sampling at sub-micrometer-scale intervals, allowing the latter to exploit the spatial redundancy of z-slices for self-supervised model training. This spatial redundancy-based approach, tailored for 4D (xyzt) dataset, not only achieves >700% SNR enhancement but also retains fast-spiking functional profiles of neuronal activities. High-speed plus high-quality images are exemplified by in vivo Purkinje cells calcium observation, revealing intriguing dendritic-to-somatic signal convolution, i.e., similar dendritic signals lead to reverse somatic responses. This tailored technique allows for capturing neuronal activities with high SNR, thus advancing the fundamental comprehension of neuronal transduction pathways within 3D neuronal architecture., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Rationale and Objectives: The emergence of low-dose protocols for CT imaging has mitigated pediatric radiation exposure, yet ionizing radiation remains a concern for children with complex craniofacial conditions requiring repeated radiologic monitoring. In this work, the clinical feasibility of an ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI sequence was investigated in pediatric patients., Materials and Methods: Twelve pediatric patients (6 female, age range 8 to 18 years) with various imaging conditions were scanned at 3T using a dual-radiofrequency, dual-echo UTE MRI sequence. Bright-bone images were generated using a weighted least-squares conjugate gradient method to enhance bone specificity. The overlap of the binary skull masks was quantified using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the 95th percentile Hausdorff distance (HD95) to evaluate the similarity between MRI and CT. To assess the anatomic accuracy of 3D skull reconstructions, six craniometric distances were recorded and the agreement between MRI- and CT-derived measurements was evaluated using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρ c )., Results: The bright-bone images from UTE MRI demonstrated high bone-contrast, suppression of soft tissue, and separation from air at the sinuses. The DSC and HD95 between MRI and CT had medians of 0.81 ± 0.10 and 1.87 ± 0.32 mm, respectively. There was good agreement between MRI and CT for all craniometric distances (ρ c ranging from 0.90 to 0.99) with a mean absolute difference in measurements of < 2 mm., Conclusion: The clinical feasibility of the UTE MRI sequence for craniofacial imaging was demonstrated in a cohort of pediatric patients, showing good agreement with CT in resolving thin bone structures and craniometry., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The fascial system has gained recognition for its integral role in connecting skin, superficial and deep fasciae, and underlying muscles. However, consensus on its microstructure depending on its topography remains elusive as well as its implications in clinical practices, such as reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy techniques. This study focuses on the iliotibial tract (ITT) implicated in the iliotibial band syndrome. The goal is to describe microstructural characteristics using classical 2D histology and cryogenic contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography (cryo-CECT) such as the total thickness, number of layers, layer thickness, fibre orientation and tortuosity, according to the specific topography. The total thickness of the ITT varied across topographic regions, with the superior part being on average thicker but non-significantly different from the other regions. The inferior part showed heterogeneity, with the anterior region (AI) being the thinnest and the posterior one (PI) the thickest. The ITT exhibited 1-3 layers, with no significant differences among regions. Most commonly, it consisted of two layers, except for the antero-superior (AS) and antero-middle (AM) regions, which sometimes had only one layer. The posterior regions frequently had 2 or 3 layers, with the PI region having the highest mean (2.7 layers). The intermediate layer was the thickest one, varying from the AI region (0.368 mm ± 0.114) to the PI region (0.640 mm ± 0.305). The superficial layer showed regional variability, with the AS region being the thinnest. The deep layer appeared thinner than the superficial one. Fibre orientation analysis indicated that the intermediate layer mainly consisted of oblique longitudinal fibres, orientated downward and forward, while the superficial and deep layers had transversal or oblique transversal fibres. Cryo-CECT 3D observations confirmed these findings, revealing distinct orientations for different layers. Fibre tortuosity exhibited differences based on orientation. Transversal fibres (>65°) were significantly less tortuous than longitudinal fibres (<25°) and oblique intermediate fibres (25°-65°), aligning with 3D plot observations. This quantitative study highlights various microstructural characteristics of the ITT, offering insights into its regional variations. The analysis accuracy is increased due to the novel technology of cryo-CECT which emerges as a valuable tool for precise assessment of 3D fibre orientation and tortuosity. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the ITT structure, useful in clinical practices, such as reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy, and future research endeavours., (© 2024 Anatomical Society.)

Electron tomography of frozen, hydrated samples allows structure determination of macromolecular complexes that are embedded in complex environments. Provided that the target complexes may be localised in noisy, three-dimensional tomographic reconstructions, averaging images of multiple instances of these molecules can lead to structures with sufficient resolution for de novo atomic modelling. Although many research groups have contributed image processing tools for these tasks, a lack of standardisation and interoperability represents a barrier for newcomers to the field. Here, we present an image processing pipeline for electron tomography data in RELION-5, with functionality ranging from the import of unprocessed movies to the automated building of atomic models in the final maps. Our explicit definition of metadata items that describe the steps of our pipeline has been designed for interoperability with other software tools and provides a framework for further standardisation., (© 2024 The Author(s). FEBS Open Bio published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)

Magneto-acousto-electrical tomography (MAET) is a hybrid imaging method that combines the high spatial resolution of ultrasonography with the high contrast of electrical impedance tomography (EIT). While most previous studies on MAET have focused on two-dimensional imaging, our recent research proposed a novel three-dimensional (3D) MAET method using B-mode and translational scanning. This method has been the first to reconstruct a 3D volume image of conductivity interfaces. However, this method has its limitations in mapping irregular shapes of conductivity. To address this challenge, we propose a 3D magneto-acousto-electrical computed tomography (3D MAE-CT) method utilizing an ultrasound linear array transducer in this work. Both phantom and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate our proposed method. The results from the phantom experiments demonstrate that our method can map the 3D volume conductivity with high spatial resolution. The oblique angles extracted from the 3D image closely match practical value, with the relative error ranging between -2.80% and 4.07%. Furthermore, the in vitro experiment successfully obtained a 3D image of a chicken heart, marking the first MAET 3D conductivity image of a tissue sample to date.

Objective: The paper proposes a non-invasive original methodology to directly and automatically identify the spine line from the external position of vertebral apophyses, which are key anatomical landmarks., Methods: Apophyses are detected directly on discrete high-density geometric models of human backs acquired by a 3D scanner. The methodology is inspired by the posturologist's approach that detects the spine line through the identification, by manual palpation, of the spinal apophyses. For this purpose, an appropriate shape index is used to identify vertebral positions. The shape index estimates the local differential geometric properties of the back surface. This index is very discriminating in locating both pronounced and blurred apophyses. To validate the method, the research involved the analysis of 21 healthy human backs acquired in both standing and asymmetric postures. For each of them, a skilled operator detected the spinal apophyses by tactile investigation and located them through cutaneous marking. Markers have been used as the reference for spinal apophyses' positions., Results: A comparison of the proposed approach with state-of-the-art methods has been conducted. This study evidences the high accuracy of the methodology proposed here and the capability to recognize also blurred apophyses., Conclusion: The method automatically performs the spine line identification and accurately locates apophyses along both vertical and coronal directions., Significance: The proposed inexpensive and easy-to-use approach significantly advances over other non-invasive methods. Its ability to detect the apophyses' location potentially offers new capabilities in detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring spinal disorders.

Objective: In clinical ultrasound, current 2-D strain imaging faces challenges in quantifying three orthogonal normal strain components. This requires separate image acquisitions based on the pixel-dependent cardiac coordinate system, leading to additional computations and estimation discrepancies due to probe orientation. Most systems lack shear strain information, as displaying all components is challenging to interpret., Methods: This paper presents a 3-D high-spatial-resolution, coordinate-independent strain imaging approach based on principal stretch and axis estimation. All strain components are transformed into three principal stretches along three normal principal axes, enabling direct visualization of the primary deformation. We devised an efficient 3-D speckle tracking method with tilt filtering, incorporating randomized searching in a two-pass tracking framework and rotating the phase of the 3-D correlation function for robust filtering. The proposed speckle tracking approach significantly improves estimates of displacement gradients related to the axial displacement component. Non-axial displacement gradient estimates are enhanced using a correlation-weighted least-squares method constrained by tissue incompressibility., Results: Simulated and in vivo canine cardiac datasets were evaluated to estimate Lagrangian strains from end-diastole to end-systole. The proposed speckle tracking method improves displacement estimation by a factor of 4.3 to 10.5 over conventional 1-pass processing. Maximum principal axis/direction imaging enables better detection of local disease regions than conventional strain imaging., Conclusion: Coordinate-independent tracking can identify myocardial abnormalities with high accuracy., Significance: This study offers enhanced accuracy and robustness in strain imaging compared to current methods.

We present a multi-stage and multi-resolution deformable image registration framework for image-guidance at a small animal proton irradiation platform. The framework is based on list-mode proton radiographies acquired at different angles, which are used to deform a 3D treatment planning CT relying on normalized mutual information (NMI) or root mean square error (RMSE) in the projection domain. We utilized a mouse X-ray micro-CT expressed in relative stopping power (RSP), and obtained Monte Carlo simulations of proton images in list-mode for three different treatment sites (brain, head and neck, lung). Rigid transformations and controlled artificial deformation were applied to mimic position misalignments, weight loss and breathing changes. Results were evaluated based on the residual RMSE of RSP in the image domain including the comparison of extracted local features, i.e. between the reference micro-CT and the one transformed taking into account the calculated deformation. The residual RMSE of the RSP showed that the accuracy of the registration framework is promising for compensating rigid (>97% accuracy) and non-rigid (∼95% accuracy) transformations with respect to a conventional 3D-3D registration. Results showed that the registration accuracy is degraded when considering the realistic detector performance and NMI as a metric, whereas the RMSE in projection domain is rather insensitive. This work demonstrates the pre-clinical feasibility of the registration framework on different treatment sites and its use for small animal imaging with a realistic detector. Further computational optimization of the framework is required to enable the use of this tool for online estimation of the deformation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)