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The purpose of the article is to investigate the traction, energy, and coupling properties of Wide Span Vehicles (WSV) during their operation in Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) conditions. Based on the analysis, systematization, and synthesis of theoretical data, the advantages of using WSVs in CTF conditions have been identified, along with the absence of mechanical and technological foundations for their functioning and utilization. The conducted research has determined that the necessary specific power of WSVs should be 23.5 W·kg‒1 at 1 km·h‒1, Their movement on CTF tracks is accompanied by a lower slip value (at the level of 0.15…0.17) compared to their movement on agricultural background, where the wheel realizes the maximum traction contact force, allowing it to develop pulling forces at the level of 6.37 kN per ton of its operational mass. In future studies, we plan to explore the technological properties of WSVs, characterizing their compliance with technological requirements across the entire range of agricultural operations for which they are intended as part of the equipment.

Ultrasound practice is a longstanding tradition for radiology departments, being part of the family of imaging techniques. Ultrasound is widely practiced by non-radiologists but becoming less popular within radiology. The position of ultrasound in radiology is reviewed, and a possible long-term solution to manage radiologist expectations is proposed. An international group of experts in the practice of ultrasound was invited to describe the current organisation of ultrasound within the radiology departments in their own countries and comment on the interaction with non-radiologists and training arrangements. Issues related to regulation, non-medical practitioners, and training principles are detailed. A consensus view was sought from the experts regarding the position of ultrasound within radiology, with the vision of the best scenario for the continuing dominance of radiologists practising ultrasound. Comments were collated from nine different countries. Variable levels of training, practice, and interaction with non-radiologist were reported, with some countries relying on non-physician input to manage the service. All experts recognised there was a diminished desire to practice ultrasound by radiologists. Models varied from practising solely ultrasound and no other imaging techniques to radiology departments being central to the practice of ultrasound by radiologists and non-radiologist, housed within radiology. The consensus view was that the model favoured in select hospitals in Germany would be the most likely setup for ultrasound radiologist to develop and maintain practice. The vision for 20 years hence is for a central ultrasound section within radiology, headed by a trained expert radiologist, with non-radiologist using the facilities.Critical relevance statement The future of ultrasound within the radiology department should encompass all ultrasound users, with radiologists expert in ultrasound, managing the ultrasound section within the radiology department. The current radiology trainees must learn of the importance of ultrasound as a component of the 'holistic' imaging of the patient.Key points: 1. Ultrasound imaging within radiology departments precedes the introduction of CT and MR imaging and was first used over 50 years ago.2. Non-radiology practitioners deploy ultrasound examinations to either 'problem solve' or perform a comprehensive ultrasound examination; radiologists provide comprehensive examinations or use ultrasound to direct interventional procedures.3. Radiology does not 'own' ultrasound, but radiologists are best placed to offer a comprehensive patient-focused imaging assessment.4. A vision of the future of ultrasound within the radiology department is encompassing all ultrasound users under radiologists who are experts in ultrasound, positioned within the radiology department.5. The current radiology trainee must be aware of the importance of ultrasound as a component of the 'holistic' imaging of the patient., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This first position paper of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) on professional standards presents a common position across the different medical professions within EFSUMB regarding optimal standards for the performing and reporting of ultrasound examinations by any professional ultrasound operator. It describes general aspects of professionality that ensure procedure quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in virtually all application fields of medical ultrasound. Recommendations are given related to safety and indication of ultrasound examinations, requirements for examination rooms, structured examination, systematic reporting of results, and management, communication and archiving of ultrasound data. The print version of this article is a short version. The long version is published online., Competing Interests: The authors disclose reimbursement of travel expenses by EFSUMB or national scientific societies, resulting from their involvement in EFSUMB ExB or related committee activities. Further disclosures: Matthias Wuestner: Lecture fees in Ultrasound courses and congresses from Ultrasound academy of DEGUM, Campus ACADEMY, SonoABCD – UEC & Partners Medical Education GmbH, Landesärztekammer Niedersachsen, Falk Foundation, Support to perform ultrasound courses from Philips and Mindray. Vito Cantisani: Lecturer fee as speaker for bracco, Samsung, Canon. Klaus Jenderka: shares of GAMPT mbH (Company for Applied Medical Physics and Technique). Julian Kuenzel: fees for participation in expert meetings from BMS and for performing DEGUM certified ultrasound courses by SonoForKlinik. Support to perform ultrasound courses by GE Healthcare, travelling support by Merz. Adrian Lim: Fees for lectures and articles from Canon Medical Systems, Siemens Medical Systems and Bracco. Research Grants and Support – Philips Medical Systems and Canon Medical Systems. Vladimir Mitkov: Lecture fees in Ultrasound courses, webinars and congresses from Canon Medical Systems (Japan), GE Healthcare (USA), Mindray (China), Philips. Adrian Saftoiu: Lecture fees in Ultrasound / EUS courses and congresses from Bracco Suisse and Pentax Medical Singapore. 100% shares held in EchoEndoPlus company, involved in Romania in healthcare. Christian Jenssen: fees for lectures and/or participation in expert meetings from FALK Foundation, Hitachi Medical Ultrasound, GE Healthcare, Bracco and Ultrasound Academy of DEGUM. Support to perform ultrasound courses by Canon, Hitachi, GE Healthcare and Bracco., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

This first position paper of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) on professional standards presents a common position across the different medical professions within EFSUMB regarding optimal standards for the performing and reporting of ultrasound examinations by any professional ultrasound operator. It describes general aspects of professionality that ensure procedure quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in virtually all application fields of medical ultrasound. Recommendations are given related to safety and indication of ultrasound examinations, requirements for examination rooms, structured examination, systematic reporting of results, and management, communication and archiving of ultrasound data. The print version of this article is a short version. The long version is published online., Competing Interests: The authors disclose reimbursement of travel expenses by EFSUMB or national scientific societies, resulting from their involvement in EFSUMB ExB or related committee activities. Further disclosures: Matthias Wuestner: Lecture fees in Ultrasound courses and congresses from Ultrasound academy of DEGUM, Campus ACADEMY, SonoABCD – UEC & Partners Medical Education GmbH, Landesärztekammer Niedersachsen, Falk Foundation, Support to perform ultrasound courses from Philips and Mindray. Vito Cantisani: Lecturer fee as speaker for bracco, Samsung, Canon. Klaus Jenderka: shares of GAMPT mbH (Company for Applied Medical Physics and Technique). Julian Kuenzel: fees for participation in expert meetings from BMS and for performing DEGUM certified ultrasound courses by SonoForKlinik. Support to perform ultrasound courses by GE Healthcare, travelling support by Merz. Adrian Lim: Fees for lectures and articles from Canon Medical Systems, Siemens Medical Systems and Bracco. Research Grants and Support – Philips Medical Systems and Canon Medical Systems. Vladimir Mitkov: Lecture fees in Ultrasound courses, webinars and congresses from Canon Medical Systems (Japan), GE Healthcare (USA), Mindray (China), Philips. Adrian Saftoiu: Lecture fees in Ultrasound/EUS courses and congresses from Bracco Suisse and Pentax Medical Singapore. 100 % shares held in EchoEndoPlus company, involved in Romania in healthcare. Christian Jenssen: fees for lectures and/or participation in expert meetings from FALK Foundation, Hitachi Medical Ultrasound, GE Healthcare, Bracco and Ultrasound Academy of DEGUM. Support to perform ultrasound courses by Canon, Hitachi, GE Healthcare and Bracco., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: to compare the effectiveness of targeted biopsy guided by the shear wave elastography (SWE) and systematic biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa)., Material and Methods: A total of 164 patients with suspected PCa were examined. Multiparametric TRUS, including SWE, was performed to all patients with the use of the Aixplorer ultrasound system (Supersonic Imagine, France), followed by TRUS guided 12-samples systematic prostate biopsy in combination with targeted biopsy from hypoechoic and/or stiff areas according to SWE data. Comparison of the results of histological examination and tissue stiffness measurements were carried out according to the specimens and patients. A total of 2 171 biopsy samples were analyzed (1 968 systematic and 203 targeted). After morphological evaluation all specimens were divided into groups of PCa+ (n=441) and PCa- (n=1 730), and patients to the group of PCa (n=74) and the control group (n=90)., Results: PCa was found in 17.3% of systematic biopsy specimens and in 76.9% of SWE targeted biopsy specimens (P<0.0001). The significant moderate positive correlations of Youngs modulus and Gleason scores (rS=0.51, P<0.0001), Youngs modulus and% specimen involvement (rS=0.59, P<0.0001) were founded in the group of PCa+ biopsy specimens. The percentage of PCa+ specimens was significantly higher with any types of targeted biopsy, than with systematic biopsy. With SWE targeted biopsy the percentage of PCa+ specimens was significantly higher than with B-mode guided targeted biopsy. Similar regularities were observed when comparing these types of targeted biopsy according to morphological prognostic ISUP groups and perineural invasion. Performing of targeted biopsy increased the morphological prognostic group in 5.4% of patients, additionally revealed perineural invasion in 2.7% of patients with PCa, and transferred additional 9.5% of patients from the group of clinically insignificant to the group of clinically significant PCa., Conclusion: SWE-guided targeted biopsy shows the significantly higher positive biopsy rate than conventional systematic biopsy. The use of SWE-guided targeted biopsy in addition to systematic biopsy can increase clinically significant PCa detection rate and improve the detection of perineural invasion.

Background Despite the increasing role of ultrasound, structured ultrasound teaching is only slowly being integrated into the curricula of medical schools and universities all over Europe. Aim To survey the current situation at European universities regarding the integration of ultrasound in student medical education and to report on models of student ultrasound training from selected European universities. Methods A questionnaire survey focusing on the implementation of curricular ultrasound education was sent out to the 28 presidents of the national ultrasound societies of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), who were asked to distribute the questionnaires to the medical universities of their countries. Results Overall, 53 questionnaires were returned from 46 universities in 17 European countries. In most of the universities (40/46 universities, 87%), the theoretical background of ultrasound is taught. However, in only a minority of universities is ultrasound integrated in anatomy courses (8/46 universities, 17%) or basic science courses (16/46 universities, 35%). Practical skills in ultrasound are taught in 56% of the universities (26/46 universities) and tested in a practical exam in seven of the responding universities (15%). The number of hours in which ultrasound was taught ranged from one to 58 (mean, seven). The respondents reported that lack of time and limited faculty funding were major hurdles. Conclusion According to our survey, only a minority of European universities has integrated ultrasound into the preclinical curriculum thus far. Future EFSUMB initiatives will continue to promote the introduction of ultrasound as an integrative part of the core curriculum of student medical education, and the preparation of proper teaching material., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

A complex of clinical and laboratory examinations of patients with bacterial chronic prostatitis was carried out. The patients were divided into two groups: 55 patients treated by the method of immunotherapy and 20 patients (controls) undergoing basic therapy. Immunotherapy was carried out with the use of polycomponent vaccine VP-4 containing Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli antigens. Vaccinal therapy was indicated in cases with infection focus associated with opportunistic bacteria, a prolonged torpid course of prostatitis and when different schemes of etiotropic therapy proved to be ineffective. The vaccine was introduced in 4 or 5 subcutaneous injections at an interval of 5-7 days. The study revealed that in cases of chronic prostatitis accompanied by microecological and immune disturbances the use of complex therapy allowed to achieve good clinical and laboratory results in 91% of the patients. In the patients undergoing immunotherapy the elimination of opportunistic bacteria from the urogenital tract and the restoration of affected microflora occurred.

Altogether 113 patients with different hepatic diseases and 35 persons of the control group were examined. A significant difference in the level of serum ferritin was found in patients with cancer of extrahepatic site without hepatic metastases and in patients with metastatic involvement of the liver. In the patients with diagnosed cancer of extrahepatic site, the level of serum ferritin higher than 300 micrograms/l for men and 200 micrograms/l for women was the sign of metastatic involvement of the liver. Significant difference in the level of serum ferritin in patients with malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions can serve as an additional criterion for differential diagnosis of these diseases.