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The use of computational models of the human foot based on finite element analysis offers a promising alternative for understanding the biomechanical internal changes of this structure. However, the evaluation of dynamic scenarios has been challenging. This research aims to design a computational model that accurately simulates foot biomechanics during the stance period of the gait cycle in healthy and flatfoot scenarios. The model is focused on analyzing stress variations in soft tissues such as the plantar fascia and spring ligament to provide valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot. The results were evaluated using maximum principal stress. Validation was performed by measuring clinical angles and comparing the range of motion of foot joints with known values for each phase. Results show that the plantar fascia and spring ligament stress increase during the second and third rockers compared to the first rocker. Additionally, as was expected, flatfoot simulations show stress increments in those evaluated soft tissues, while surgical treatment scenarios contributed to stress reduction in these regions. These findings emphasize the active role of the plantar fascia and spring ligament, particularly during approximately 50% of the stance period when the plantar arch deformity is greater. Results show valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot through computational models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth and advancements done in solid mechanics and metallurgy have come up with various characterization techniques that help in prediction of elastic properties of different types of materials—isotropic, anisotropic, transverse isotropic, etc. Soft tissues which refer to fibrous tissues, fat, blood vessels, muscles and other tissues that support the body were found to have some control over its mechanical properties. This mechanical behavior of soft tissues has recently shifted the attention of many researchers to develop methods to characterize and describe the mechanical response of soft tissues. The paper discusses the biomechanical nature of soft tissues and the work done to characterize their elastic properties. The paper gives a review of the behavior and characteristics of soft tissues extracted from various experimental tests employed in their characterization. Soft tissues exhibit complex behavior and various complexities are involved in their experimental testing due to their small size and fragile nature. The paper focuses on the conventionally used tensile and compression tests and the difficulties encountered in soft tissue characterization. It also describes the utility of ultrasound technique which is a non-destructive method to characterize soft tissues. Tensile and compression test used to characterize materials are destructive in nature. Ultrasound technique can provide a better way to characterize material in a non-destructive manner [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissues' nearly incompressibility was well reported in the literature but little effort has been made to compare volume variations computed by simulations with in vivo measurements. In this study, volume changes of the fat pad during controlled indentations of the human heel region were estimated from segmented medical images using digital volume correlation. The experiment was reproduced using finite element modelling with several values of Poisson's ratio for the fat pad, from 0.4500 to 0.4999. A single value of Poisson's ratio could not fit all the indentation cases. Estimated volume changes were between 0.9% − 11.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The study aims to compare the dynamics of the increase in the thickness of soft tissues in the area of one-stage dental implantation after the use of a xenogenic collagen matrix and a soft tissue cuff reinforced with bone graft material (BGM). Materials and methods. The study enrolled 51 patients who received one-stage dental implantation. Depending on the dental implantation technique, the patients were divided into two groups. The main group comprised 25 patients who after teeth extraction had their implants placed into a prepared socket preliminary filled with Sensobone xenograft, after which BGM was formed with the subsequent fixation of a temporary crown. The comparison group included 26 patients who after teeth extraction had their implants placed into a prepared socket preliminary filled with Sensobone xenograft, after which the soft tissue area was filled with Senobone xenograft, with the subsequent fixation of the temporary crown. The attached mucous membrane (AMM) thickness around the implant was measured before implantation and again after 3 months and one year (the distance from the top of the alveolar ridge center to the middle of the muco-gingival junction in the vestibular direction was measured with a periodontal probe). The results of the study were processed on a PC using the statistical package of the licensed software Statistica 13.0 (Copyright 1984–2018 TIBCO Software Inc. All rights reserved. License No. JPZ804I382130ARCN10-J). Results. The thickness of the AMM around the one-stage dental implantation area before implantation and in the dynamics did not depend on the jaw in both groups. Before implantation, the lowest values of the AMM thickness in patients of both groups were registered in the area of the canine and the first molar. The AMM thickness did not depend on the age and sex of the patients, as well as on the type of teeth and jaws. The use of BGM in one-stage dental implantation provided a significant increase in the AMM thickness by 1.38 mm in 3 months after implantation, and by 1.45 mm in a year (the intergroup difference was 0.29 mm in 3 months and 0.32 mm in a year), and a significant increase in the AMM thickness on both jaws, by 1.36 mm on the upper jaw and 1.41 mm on the lower jaw in 3 months and by 1.44 mm on the upper jaw and by 1.5 mm on the lower jaw in a year (the intergroup difference was 0.32 mm on the upper jaw and 0.33 mm on the lower jaw in a year) as well as a significant increase in the AMM thickness in all teeth after a year of follow-up. There were no dental implant failures in both groups, and the survival rate of implants was 100 % one year after the placement. Conclusions. The effectiveness of one-stage dental implantation is facilitated by the adequate AMM thickness provided by BGM.

Abstract The use of computational models of the human foot based on finite element analysis offers a promising alternative for understanding the biomechanical internal changes of this structure. However, the evaluation of dynamic scenarios has been challenging. This research aims to design a computational model that accurately simulates foot biomechanics during the stance period of the gait cycle in healthy and flatfoot scenarios. The model is focused on analyzing stress variations in soft tissues such as the plantar fascia and spring ligament to provide valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot. The results were evaluated using maximum principal stress. Validation was performed by measuring clinical angles and comparing the range of motion of foot joints with known values for each phase. Results show that the plantar fascia and spring ligament stress increase during the second and third rockers compared to the first rocker. Additionally, as was expected, flatfoot simulations show stress increments in those evaluated soft tissues, while surgical treatment scenarios contributed to stress reduction in these regions. These findings emphasize the active role of the plantar fascia and spring ligament, particularly during approximately 50% of the stance period when the plantar arch deformity is greater. Results show valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot through computational models.

Tumors of the foot are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that either affect soft tissues or bone, with a predominance being benign. Mistakes in the diagnosis of neoplastic conditions are common. A correct diagnostic approach supported by radiological and histological examination is mandatory. In this review, we highlight current standards in diagnosis, clinicopathological presentation, and imaging features.

Abstract Background This study highlights the need for precise and efficient methods to measure palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth, particularly for soft tissue augmentation in the aesthetic zone. The research evaluates three digital imaging techniques, suggesting that Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combined with intraoral scanners (IOS) is a promising approach for reliable clinical assessment. Methods Ten volunteers with healthy periodontium were selected, and three methods were employed: CBCT-based indirect gingival imaging, modified soft tissue CBCT (ST-CBCT), and CBCT combined with IOS. Measurements of palatal mucosal thickness were taken at multiple points along the palatal gingival margin. Statistical analysis included Bland-Altman plots for method agreement and intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis for reliability. All measurements were standardized, repeated for consistency, and accurate to 0.01 mm to ensure reliability. Results The Bland-Altman plots showed that less than 5% of the points for palatal mucosal thickness differences measured by the gingival indirect radiographic method, modified ST-CBCT, and CBCT combined with IOS were located outside the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). The mean value of the differences was within 0.2 mm, indicating good clinical agreement among the three methods. The inter- and intra-study ICC values for palatal mucosal thickness measurements of the maxillary anterior teeth using the three CBCT methods were greater than 0.75 (P

Background: This study highlights the need for precise and efficient methods to measure palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth, particularly for soft tissue augmentation in the aesthetic zone. The research evaluates three digital imaging techniques, suggesting that Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combined with intraoral scanners (IOS) is a promising approach for reliable clinical assessment. Methods: Ten volunteers with healthy periodontium were selected, and three methods were employed: CBCT-based indirect gingival imaging, modified soft tissue CBCT (ST-CBCT), and CBCT combined with IOS. Measurements of palatal mucosal thickness were taken at multiple points along the palatal gingival margin. Statistical analysis included Bland-Altman plots for method agreement and intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis for reliability. All measurements were standardized, repeated for consistency, and accurate to 0.01 mm to ensure reliability. Results: The Bland-Altman plots showed that less than 5% of the points for palatal mucosal thickness differences measured by the gingival indirect radiographic method, modified ST-CBCT, and CBCT combined with IOS were located outside the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). The mean value of the differences was within 0.2 mm, indicating good clinical agreement among the three methods. The inter- and intra-study ICC values for palatal mucosal thickness measurements of the maxillary anterior teeth using the three CBCT methods were greater than 0.75 (P < 0.001), demonstrating reproducibility. Conclusions: Based on the evaluation of three digital imaging techniques, this study indicates that the combination of CBCT with IOS is a feasible method for measuring palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth and demonstrates good reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate elastography in a wide spectrum of soft tissue superficial lesions by correlating the elastographic characteristics of these lesions with the elastographic score (ES) system established by Asteria. Methods: Forty patients with different superficial lesions of the soft tissues were studied, including lipomas, schwannomas, neuromas, epidermal inclusion cysts, "in transit" melanoma metastasis, arterio-venous malformation, and giant-cell tumor. An ultrasound examination was performed combined with color-Doppler and elastographic module. The B-mode criteria were echogenicity, margins, and structural homogeneity of the lesion. The color-Doppler criterion was irregular and mainly intra-nodular vascularization. ES 1–4 was attributed, in relation with the increasing tissue stiffness, according to the classification of Asteria adapted for soft tissues. Subsequently, we added to each single B-mode and color-Doppler criterion the ES 3 and 4, thus crossing two parameters of malignancy. All the presumptive diagnoses formulated were confirmed with the clinical data or with the histopathological result. Results: The hypoechoic appearance had the best diagnostic performance. Sensitivity was 87%, specificity 71%, positive predictive value (PPV) 80%, negative predictive value (NPV) 80%, and diagnostic accuracy 80%. There was a good correlation with the clinical and biopsy data, the irregularity of margins the worst performance, the inhomogeneity an intermediate. Color-Doppler had sensitivity 74%, specificity 82%, PPV 85%, NPV 70% and diagnostic accuracy 77.5%. Elastography had sensitivity 87%, specificity 94%, PPV 95%, NPV 84%, and diagnostic accuracy 90%. The combination hypoechoic appearance + ES3/ES4 showed sensitivity 83%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 81%,and diagnostic accuracy of 90%. The combination of irregularity of margins + ES3/ES4 showed sensitivity 43%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 59%, and diagnostic accuracy of 67.5%. The combination of inhomogeneity of the lesion + ES3/ES4 showed sensitivity 65%, specificity 94%, PPV 94%, NPV 68%, and diagnostic accuracy of 78%. The combination of the color-Doppler with the ES3/ES4 showed sensitivity 69.5%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 71%, and diagnostic accuracy of 82.5%.In the combined evaluation, there was a significant increase in specificity, allowing healthy subjects to be categorized as correctly negative, with a reduction in false positives which also translates into an increase in PPV. Conclusions: Elastography alone is not sufficient for a correct diagnostic classification and must be considered as an additional parameter in the study of soft-tissue lesions. Although there was a good agreement between B-mode malignancy criteria and ES3/ES4, there is no significant improvement in sensitivity. Ultrasound assessment, especially of superficial lesions, cannot be separated from an integrated approach that foresees the additional and routine use of the elastographic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneous micromechanical properties of biological tissues have profound implications across diverse medical and engineering domains. However, identifying full‐field heterogeneous elastic properties of soft materials using traditional engineering approaches is fundamentally challenging due to difficulties in estimating local stress fields. Recently, there has been a growing interest in data‐driven models for learning full‐field mechanical responses, such as displacement and strain, from experimental or synthetic data. However, research studies on inferring full‐field elastic properties of materials, a more challenging problem, are scarce, particularly for large deformation, hyperelastic materials. Here, a physics‐informed machine learning approach is proposed to identify the elasticity map in nonlinear, large deformation hyperelastic materials. This study reports the prediction accuracies and computational efficiency of physics‐informed neural networks (PINNs) in inferring the heterogeneous elasticity maps across materials with structural complexity that closely resemble real tissue microstructure, such as brain, tricuspid valve, and breast cancer tissues. Further, the improved architecture is applied to three hyperelastic constitutive models: Neo‐Hookean, Mooney Rivlin, and Gent. The improved network architecture consistently produces accurate estimations of heterogeneous elasticity maps, even when there is up to 10% noise present in the training data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partial ichthyosaur skeleton from the Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) bituminous shales of the 'Schistes Carton' unit of southern Luxembourg is described and illustrated. In addition, associated remnant soft tissues are analyzed using a combination of imaging and molecular techniques. The fossil (MNHNL TV344) comprises scattered appendicular elements, together with a consecutive series of semi-articulated vertebrae surrounded by extensive soft-tissue remains. We conclude that TV344 represents a skeletally immature individual (possibly of the genus Stenopterygius) and that the soft parts primarily consist of fossilized skin, including the epidermis (with embedded melanophore pigment cells and melanosome organelles) and dermis. Ground sections of dorsal ribs display cortical microstructures reminiscent of lines of arrested growth (LAGs), providing an opportunity for a tentative age determination of the animal at the time of death (>3 years). It is further inferred that the exceptional preservation of TV344 was facilitated by seafloor dysoxia/anoxia with periodical intervals of oxygenation, which triggered phosphatization and the subsequent formation of a carbonate concretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, material extrusion-based additive manufacturing, particularly fused filament fabrication (FFF), has gained significant attention due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness in producing complex geometries. This paper presents the characterization of seven novel materials for FFF and twenty-two commercially available filaments in terms of X-ray computed tomography (CT) numbers, as tissue mimicking materials for the realization of 3D printed radiological phantoms. Two technical approaches, by 3D printing of cube samples and by producing cylinders of melted materials, are used for achieving this goal. Results showed that the CT numbers, given in Hounsfield unit (HU), of all the samples depended on the beam kilovoltage (kV). The CT numbers ranged from +411 HU to +3071 HU (at 80 kV), from −422 HU to +3071 HU (at 100 kV), and from −442 HU to +3070 HU (at 120 kV). Several commercial and custom-made filaments demonstrated suitability for substituting soft and hard human tissues, for realization of 3D printed phantoms with FFF in CT imaging. For breast imaging, an anthropomorphic phantom with two filaments could be fabricated using ABS-C (conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as a substitute for breast adipose tissue, and ASA-A (acrylic styrene acrylonitrile) for glandular breast tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the role of high‐resolution ultrasound (HR‐US) in the initial and differential diagnosis of the Odontogenic Cutaneous Sinus Tract (OCST) in a multicentric setting. Methods: Skin HR‐US examinations of OCSTs performed between January 2019 and June 2023 at different Institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Epidemiological and clinical data (age, gender, location of the skin lesion, causative tooth, and the clinical suspicion) as well as HR‐US imaging findings (morphology and length of the sinus tract, Doppler signal, and cortical bone interruption of maxilla or mandible) were collected. US examinations were performed by expert radiologists using a high‐performance US scanner, employing a high‐frequency linear probe (15 MHz or higher frequencies). In only one patient the HR‐US exam was integrated with strain elastography (SE). Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled with a median age of 37.6 years (range 16–70 years). The most frequent clinical suspicion was epidermal cyst, while OCST was suspected in only two cases. In all cases, HR‐US depicted the sinus tract as a nodular, triangular or "champignon‐shaped" lesion in the subcutaneous layer, which continued with a slightly tortuous band structure, up to the focally interrupted cortical bone plate. Furthermore, color Doppler evaluation showed color signals around and/or within the lesion, expression of inflammation. On SE, the sinus tract showed a hard pattern, due to fibrous and granulomatous tissue. Conclusions: HR‐US, thanks to its high spatial resolution, allows the evaluation of OCST, and play a crucial diagnostic role, mainly when the clinical suspicious is different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Renal cancer metastasis to oral region is very rare. Studies have been published analyzing the cases of metastatic tumors to the oral cavity by many researchers. Very few research studies have been conducted till date to analyze the renal cancer metastasis as the sole primary source to the oral soft tissues. The goal of this study was to examine the published cases of oral soft tissue metastasis from renal cell carcinoma as the only primary source from 1911 to 2022.

Paralaryngeal mass with secondary extension to the thyroid cartilage involving confluent cysts, subjected to conservative surgical treatment with a diagnosis of giant cell tumor of soft tissues, a neoplasm morphologically similar but genetically unrelated to osseous giant cell tumors.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence on peri-implant soft and hard tissues of one-piece implants with a convergent hyperbolic profile collar placed at different depths with respect to the bone crest. Materials and Methods: Six dogs were included in the experiment. Three months after mandibular tooth extractions, two one-piece implants carrying a 2.8-mm--high convergent hyperbolic profile collar were placed in the alveolar crest with the coronal margin of the rough surface either 0.8 mm (test-1) or 1.8 mm (test-2) deeper with respect to the bone crest (Ct0). Two similar implants were instead placed flush to Ct0 as controls (control-1 and control-2, respectively). Healing screws were connected, and nonsubmerged healing was allowed. After 4 months, block sections were harvested, and histologic slides were prepared in a buccolingual plane. Results: In the histologic analyses, both the buccal crest and coronal level of osseointegration were located more coronally at the test compared to the control implants concerning the implant. However, the buccal bone crest with respect to Ct0 presented a loss of 0.8 ± 0.4 mm at the test-1 and 0.5 ± 0.4 mm at the control-1 implants (P = .028), and a loss of 2.0 ± 1.0 mm and 0.7 ± 0.4 mm at the test-2 and control-2 implants (P = .028), respectively. At the control implants, the collars were exposed above the peri-implant mucosa, while those of the test implants were not. However, the coronal level of the peri-implant mucosa with respect to Ct0 was located more apically at the test compared to the control implants. Conclusion: The placement of implants with a hyperbolic convergent profile collar in the subcrestal position resulted in higher buccal bone resorption and more soft tissue recession compared to the crestal implants with respect to the level of the bone crest at placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758) is a widespread bear species inhabiting the forest zone of Eurasia, including the Republic of Yakutia. The association with forest habitats explains why the Pleistocene findings of U. arctos fossils are rare in the northern part of Eastern Siberia, where open steppe-tundra and steppefied landscapes prevailed during the Pleistocene. Fossils of U. arctos that have been found on the territory of Yakutia are dated since the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene. These are mainly the skulls and bones of the postcranial skeleton. In the present study, using comparative morphological analysis, computed tomography, and DNA sequencing, we describe a first mummified carcass of a brown bear individual that inhabited the New Siberian Islands (Northeast Siberia) in the Middle Holocene, approximately 3,500 years BP, which was found in the permafrost of Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island, Russia, in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are low-incidence tumors whose clinical and histopathological factors are associated with adverse oncological outcomes. This study evaluated prognostic factors (PF) associated with tumor recurrence and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with STS of the extremities, treated at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC), Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and Methods: An analytical observational study of a historical cohort was carried out, including patients diagnosed with STS and managed surgically in the Functional Unit for Breast and Soft Tissue Tumors of the INC from January 2008 to December 2018. Results: A total of 227 patients were included; 74.5% had tumors greater than 5 cm. Most patients (29.1%) were in stage IIIB at diagnosis. Age was associated with higher mortality (HR = 1.01; CI95%: 1–1.02; p = 0.048). Tumor persistence at admission to the INC (HR = 2.34; CI95%: 1.25–4.35; p = 0.007) and histologic grade III (HR = 5.36; CI95%: 2.29–12.56; p = <0.001) showed statistical significance in the multivariate analysis for recurrence of any type, as did the PFs associated with a higher risk of local recurrence (HR = 2.85; CI95%: 1.23–6.57; p = 0.014 and HR = 6.09; CI95%: 2.03–18.2; p = 0.001), respectively. Tumor size (HR = 1.03; CI95%: 1–1.06; p = 0.015) and histologic grade III (HR = 4.53; CI95%: 1.42–14.49; p = 0.011) were associated with a higher risk of distant recurrence. Conclusions: This cohort showed that in addition to histologic grade and tumor size, tumor persistence at the time of admission has an impact on disease recurrence, so STS should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in this pathology in high-volume reference centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are low-incidence tumors whose clinical and histopathological factors are associated with adverse oncological outcomes. This study evaluated prognostic factors (PF) associated with tumor recurrence and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with STS of the extremities, treated at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC), Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and Methods: An analytical observational study of a historical cohort was carried out, including patients diagnosed with STS and managed surgically in the Functional Unit for Breast and Soft Tissue Tumors of the INC from January 2008 to December 2018. Results: A total of 227 patients were included; 74.5% had tumors greater than 5 cm. Most patients (29.1%) were in stage IIIB at diagnosis. Age was associated with higher mortality (HR = 1.01; CI95%: 1–1.02; p = 0.048). Tumor persistence at admission to the INC (HR = 2.34; CI95%: 1.25–4.35; p = 0.007) and histologic grade III (HR = 5.36; CI95%: 2.29–12.56; p = p = 0.014 and HR = 6.09; CI95%: 2.03–18.2; p = 0.001), respectively. Tumor size (HR = 1.03; CI95%: 1–1.06; p = 0.015) and histologic grade III (HR = 4.53; CI95%: 1.42–14.49; p = 0.011) were associated with a higher risk of distant recurrence. Conclusions: This cohort showed that in addition to histologic grade and tumor size, tumor persistence at the time of admission has an impact on disease recurrence, so STS should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in this pathology in high-volume reference centers.

Wound healing is a spatiotemporal and highly regulated process that is divided into four continuous and overlapping stages: hemostasis, inflammation, repair (proliferation) and remodeling. All stages are controlled by various body systems and depend on the regulatory role of immune and stem cells. Despite significant progress in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation, the role of the immune microenvironment in the regeneration process remains unclear. On the one hand, the critical importance of the cellular and molecular components of the immune system in the reparative response of tissues, including the degree of scarring, restoration of structure and function of organs, has been proven, and on the other hand, little data is presented on the loss of tissue regeneration ability associated with the immune competence evolution. The review presents the key cellular and molecular mechanisms of the immune response and of the stem cells participation soft tissue repair process during their interaction with the extracellular matrix. An analysis of the latest scientific data on the participation of components of the immune microenvironment and of stem cells in soft tissue repair process was carried out based on the publications presented in Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. It has been shown that the nature of this response and its duration have a significant impact on the outcome of repair – from incomplete recovery (scarring or fibrosis) to full regeneration. It is indicated that various types of immune and stem cells take part in the soft tissue repair and remodeling processes, and their interaction must be precisely controlled. The review data may provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic approaches for soft tissue repair through immune regulation or the use of stem cells and extracellular vesicles.

The gastrointestinal (GI) organs of the human body are responsible for transporting and extracting nutrients from food and drink, as well as excreting solid waste. Biomechanical experimentation of the GI organs provides insight into the mechanisms involved in their normal physiological functions, as well as understanding of how diseases can cause disruption to these. Additionally, experimental findings form the basis of all finite element (FE) modelling of these organs, which have a wide array of applications within medicine and engineering. This systematic review summarises the experimental studies that are currently in the literature (n = 247) and outlines the areas in which experimentation is lacking, highlighting what is still required in order to more fully understand the mechanical behaviour of the GI organs. These include (i) more human data, allowing for more accurate modelling for applications within medicine, (ii) an increase in time-dependent studies, and (iii) more sophisticated in vivo testing methods which allow for both the layer- and direction-dependent characterisation of the GI organs. The findings of this review can also be used to identify experimental data for the readers' own constitutive or FE modelling as the experimental studies have been grouped in terms of organ (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or rectum), test condition (ex vivo or in vivo), number of directions studied (isotropic or anisotropic), species family (human, porcine, feline etc.), tissue condition (intact wall or layer-dependent) and the type of test performed (biaxial tension, inflation–extension, distension (pressure-diameter), etc.). Furthermore, the studies that investigated the time-dependent (viscoelastic) behaviour of the tissues have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Phase-contrast X-ray imaging is becoming increasingly considered since its first applications, which occurred almost 30 years ago. Particular emphasis was placed on studies that use this technique to investigate soft tissues, which cannot otherwise be investigated at a high resolution and in a three-dimensional manner, using conventional absorption-based settings. Indeed, its consistency and discrimination power in low absorbing samples, unified to being a not destructive analysis, are pushing interests on its utilization from researchers of different specializations, from botany, through zoology, to human physio-pathology research. In this regard, a challenging method for 3D imaging and quantitative analysis of collagenous tissues has spread in recent years: it is based on the unique characteristics of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast microTomography (PhC-microCT). In this review, the focus has been placed on the research based on the exploitation of synchrotron PhC-microCT for the investigation of collagenous tissue physio-pathologies from solely human samples. Collagen tissues’ elasto-mechanic role bonds it to the morphology of the site it is extracted from, which could weaken the results coming from animal experimentations. Encouraging outcomes proved this technique to be suitable to access and quantify human collagenous tissues and persuaded different researchers to approach it. A brief mention was also dedicated to the results obtained on collagenous tissues using new and promising high-resolution phase-contrast tomographic laboratory-based setups, which will certainly represent the real step forward in the diffusion of this relatively young imaging technique.

Abstract Hydrogels are three-dimensional structures with specific features that render them useful for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and wound dressings. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the search for improved mechanical properties of hydrogels derived from natural products to extend their applications in various fields, and there are different methods to obtain strengthened hydrogels. Cationic guar gum has physicochemical properties that allow it to interact with other polymers and generate hydrogels. This study aimed to develop an ultra-stretchable and self-healing hydrogel, evaluating the influence of adding PolyOX [poly(ethylene oxide)] on the mechanical properties and the interaction with cationic guar gum for potential tissue engineering applications. We found that variations in PolyOX concentrations and pH changes influenced the mechanical properties of cationic guar gum hydrogels. After optimization experiments, we obtained a novel hydrogel, which was semi-crystalline, highly stretchable, and with an extensibility area of approximately 400 cm2, representing a 33-fold increase compared to the hydrogel before being extended. Moreover, the hydrogel presented a recovery of 96.8% after the self-healing process and a viscosity of 153,347 ± 4,662 cP. Therefore, this novel hydrogel exhibited optimal mechanical and chemical properties and could be suitable for a broad range of applications in different fields, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, or food storage.

Abstract Background Appropriate soft tissue management represents a critical step in treating periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This review discusses relevant guidelines that surgeons should follow in the management of soft tissues in PJI treatment. Body It is imperative for arthroplasty surgeons to thoroughly debride and rebuild soft tissue with a good blood supply. Relevant guidelines that surgeons should follow rigorously include preoperative evaluation of soft tissue status and plan-making, adequate surgical area exposure, intraoperative removal of all necrotic and infected soft tissues, adequate coverage of soft tissue defects, timely postoperative assessment and management of soft tissues, wound management and proper rehabilitation. Conclusion Soft tissue management plays a critical role in the treatment of PJI. To improve the infection control rate and postoperative joint function, surgeons should be familiar with these general principles and rigorously practice them in PJI management.

In recent years, material extrusion-based additive manufacturing, particularly fused filament fabrication (FFF), has gained significant attention due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness in producing complex geometries. This paper presents the characterization of seven novel materials for FFF and twenty-two commercially available filaments in terms of X-ray computed tomography (CT) numbers, as tissue mimicking materials for the realization of 3D printed radiological phantoms. Two technical approaches, by 3D printing of cube samples and by producing cylinders of melted materials, are used for achieving this goal. Results showed that the CT numbers, given in Hounsfield unit (HU), of all the samples depended on the beam kilovoltage (kV). The CT numbers ranged from +411 HU to +3071 HU (at 80 kV), from −422 HU to +3071 HU (at 100 kV), and from −442 HU to +3070 HU (at 120 kV). Several commercial and custom-made filaments demonstrated suitability for substituting soft and hard human tissues, for realization of 3D printed phantoms with FFF in CT imaging. For breast imaging, an anthropomorphic phantom with two filaments could be fabricated using ABS-C (conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as a substitute for breast adipose tissue, and ASA-A (acrylic styrene acrylonitrile) for glandular breast tissue.

Postoperative adhesion (POA) widely occurs in soft tissues and usually leads to chronic pain, dysfunction of adjacent organs and some acute complications, seriously reducing patients’ quality of life and even being life-threatening. Except for adhesiolysis, there are few effective methods to release existing adhesion. However, it requires a second operation and inpatient care and usually triggers recurrent adhesion in a great incidence. Hence, preventing POA formation has been regarded as the most effective clinical strategy. Biomaterials have attracted great attention in preventing POA because they can act as both barriers and drug carriers. Nevertheless, even though much reported research has been demonstrated their efficacy on POA inhibition to a certain extent, thoroughly preventing POA formation is still challenging. Meanwhile, most biomaterials for POA prevention were designed based on limited experiences, not a solid theoretical basis, showing blindness. Hence, we aimed to provide guidance for designing anti-adhesion materials applied in different soft tissues based on the mechanisms of POA occurrence and development. We first classified the postoperative adhesions into four categories according to the different components of diverse adhesion tissues, and named them as “membranous adhesion”, “vascular adhesion”, “adhesive adhesion” and “scarred adhesion”, respectively. Then, the process of the occurrence and development of POA were analyzed, and the main influencing factors in different stages were clarified. Further, we proposed seven strategies for POA prevention by using biomaterials according to these influencing factors. Meanwhile, the relevant practices were summarized according to the corresponding strategies and the future perspectives were analyzed.

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A morphological description is provided for a unique find of a frozen mummified subfossil brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758), found for the first time ever. The find is a well-preserved bear carcass of approximately 3500 years in age. Results of computed tomography and DNA testing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-contrast X-ray imaging is becoming increasingly considered since its first applications, which occurred almost 30 years ago. Particular emphasis was placed on studies that use this technique to investigate soft tissues, which cannot otherwise be investigated at a high resolution and in a three-dimensional manner, using conventional absorption-based settings. Indeed, its consistency and discrimination power in low absorbing samples, unified to being a not destructive analysis, are pushing interests on its utilization from researchers of different specializations, from botany, through zoology, to human physio-pathology research. In this regard, a challenging method for 3D imaging and quantitative analysis of collagenous tissues has spread in recent years: it is based on the unique characteristics of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast microTomography (PhC-microCT). In this review, the focus has been placed on the research based on the exploitation of synchrotron PhC-microCT for the investigation of collagenous tissue physio-pathologies from solely human samples. Collagen tissues' elasto-mechanic role bonds it to the morphology of the site it is extracted from, which could weaken the results coming from animal experimentations. Encouraging outcomes proved this technique to be suitable to access and quantify human collagenous tissues and persuaded different researchers to approach it. A brief mention was also dedicated to the results obtained on collagenous tissues using new and promising high-resolution phase-contrast tomographic laboratory-based setups, which will certainly represent the real step forward in the diffusion of this relatively young imaging technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An objective assessment of the causes of age-related contour deformities of the soft tissues of the face and neck is very important in esthetic surgery, especially as minimally invasive techniques gain increasing popularity. Methods: To visualize the tissues that cause age-related soft tissue changes, we performed cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in 37 patients who underwent facial and neck rejuvenation procedures in 2021–2022. Results: Vertical CBCT enabled visualization of the causes and degree of tissue involvement in age-related changes in the lower third of the face and neck. CBCT showed the location and condition of the platysma (hypo- [ptosis], normo-, or hyper-tonus), position, thickness, and location (above and/or below the platysma) of fat tissue, presence of ptosis of the submandibular salivary glands, condition of the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles, and the degree of their participation in contours of the cervicomandibular angle, and location of the hyoid bone. Moreover, CBCT enabled demonstrating for the patient the facial and neck contour deformations and discussing the suggested corrective methods using a clear objective visual image. Conclusions: CBCT in the upright position enables objective assessment of each soft tissue in the age-related deformity of the cervicofacial region and provides an opportunity to plan the appropriate impact on the particular anatomical structures during rejuvenation procedures and estimate their results. This is the only study to date to objectively and clearly visualize the entire topographic anatomy of the soft tissues of the face and neck vertically for plastic surgeons and patients. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are three-dimensional structures with specific features that render them useful for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and wound dressings. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the search for improved mechanical properties of hydrogels derived from natural products to extend their applications in various fields, and there are different methods to obtain strengthened hydrogels. Cationic guar gum has physicochemical properties that allow it to interact with other polymers and generate hydrogels. This study aimed to develop an ultra-stretchable and self-healing hydrogel, evaluating the influence of adding PolyOX [poly(ethylene oxide)] on the mechanical properties and the interaction with cationic guar gum for potential tissue engineering applications. We found that variations in PolyOX concentrations and pH changes influenced the mechanical properties of cationic guar gum hydrogels. After optimization experiments, we obtained a novel hydrogel, which was semi-crystalline, highly stretchable, and with an extensibility area of approximately 400 cm2, representing a 33-fold increase compared to the hydrogel before being extended. Moreover, the hydrogel presented a recovery of 96.8% after the self-healing process and a viscosity of 153,347 ± 4,662 cP. Therefore, this novel hydrogel exhibited optimal mechanical and chemical properties and could be suitable for a broad range of applications in different fields, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, or food storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Appropriate soft tissue management represents a critical step in treating periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This review discusses relevant guidelines that surgeons should follow in the management of soft tissues in PJI treatment. Body: It is imperative for arthroplasty surgeons to thoroughly debride and rebuild soft tissue with a good blood supply. Relevant guidelines that surgeons should follow rigorously include preoperative evaluation of soft tissue status and plan-making, adequate surgical area exposure, intraoperative removal of all necrotic and infected soft tissues, adequate coverage of soft tissue defects, timely postoperative assessment and management of soft tissues, wound management and proper rehabilitation. Conclusion: Soft tissue management plays a critical role in the treatment of PJI. To improve the infection control rate and postoperative joint function, surgeons should be familiar with these general principles and rigorously practice them in PJI management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly patients have a high incidence of falls that result in facial injuries. Many cases present with dental crown fractures and soft-tissue lacerations. The initial diagnosis is especially important in this type of dental trauma, since an initial error can result in the failure to establish the correct treatment from the very beginning, worsening the prognosis, which, in the worst case, can compromise the teeth affected by the trauma. Case report: We present the case of a patient, a 79-year-old woman, who suffered an accidental fall. The patient was examined by a dentist in the emergency room. She was diagnosed with a simple crown fracture of the right upper central incisor and right upper lateral incisor without any pulpal involvement and with laceration of the lower lip. Months later, she had an episode of inflammation in the lower lip, and she developed edema and pain. An X-ray of the lower lip revealed a radiopaque mass compatible with a fragment of dental tissue due to the inclusion of remnants of the dental tissue resulting from the previous accident fall. Conclusions: The population of geriatric patients is steadily increasing in our society, and a higher frequency of falls has been observed in this age group, affecting the maxillofacial region, with consequent dental trauma on many occasions. Therefore, as professionals, we must pay special attention to the prevention and treatment of this problem, insisting on the importance of routine investigation in the emergency visit for dental trauma, which includes a meticulous examination of the soft tissues accompanied by a radiographic examination, when the inclusion of foreign bodies is suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mangrove crabs has been reported and most of them are toxic to animals and potential human carcinogens. Given that the land crab Cardisoma armatum Herklots, 1951 is more consumed by surrounding populations, this study aimed to quantify the levels of metals in its tissues and to assess the human health risks. Soft tissues were isolated in adult crabs and frozen then; samples were dried, crushed and handled following the standard procedures. Human health risks were evaluated using some indices. Heavy metal levels in each tissue were shown in decreasing order: Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Cd > Pb. Cadmium, lead and copper metals were in upper levels in the hepatopancreas (0.35, 0.19 and 7.88 mg/kg) whereas iron, aluminium and zinc were higher in muscles (129.30, 15.96 and 82.83 mg/kg). Most EDI values were apparently below the PTDI and CRLim values signifying that the consumption of C. armatum remains safe for consumers although, a limit in intake frequency might be required for children. For all metals, THQ and HI values were below the standard value 1 indicating no health risks in consumers due to the intake of single or several metals. Also, the carcinogenic risks for Cd and Pb metals are considered to be negligible because they are lower than 10−6. Overall, regarding the results, consumption of C. armatum seems harmless for human health in the study area.

Measurement of the strain rate sensitivity of viscoelastic properties is crucial for accurate predictions of the time-dependent behavior of discontinuous biocomposites in soft tissues. The aim of this study is to develop a shear-lag model for elucidating the dynamic response of discontinuous biocomposites in soft tissues under triangular pulse loading and harmonic loading. The extended shear-lag model is focused on improving the previous shear-lag models considering the mass of fiber and including viscoelastic behavior using the Kelvin–Voigt model for the matrix. Analytical expressions of the relative sliding and interfacial shear stress distribution have been presented to characterize the deformation and stress transfer in discontinuous biocomposites under triangular pulse loading. Under harmonic loading conditions, damping properties of discontinuous biocomposites in soft tissues including complex modulus and loss factor are also analytically derived. The predictive model was verified by finite element simulation results. Finally, the results obtained from the shear-lag model are presented to elucidate how the loading rate and loading frequency influence the dynamic response of discontinuous biocomposites. The findings shed light on the dynamic response of soft tissues subjected to impact loading and hysteresis effect under reciprocating loading, which is essential for a better understanding of soft tissue pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory process is at the heart of artificial (artificial) purulent-inflammatory diseases of soft tissues (APDST), which may lead to the development of phlegmon and abscesses at the site of invasion within a three-day period. The study of the cytokine status of rats with APDST allows us to evaluate the dynamics of inflammation markers and assess the peculiarities of the pathological course in artificial model of inflammation. The experiment was carried out on 126 white Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: (1) the main group (n = 57), where the laboratory model of APDST was used; (2) a comparison group (n = 58), in which the rats were injected with a mixture of opportunistic bacterial strains isolated from pure cultures of human oral fluid, i.e., S. epidermidis, S. mitis, S. salivarius at the titer of 9lg (CFU) per 1 ml injected together with a mixture of 2.5% hydrocortisone acetate emulsion (20 mg per 100 g of animal body weight), and dexamethasone solution at the dose of 0.5 mg; (3) control group (n = 11), where the animals were injected with 0.9% sodium chloride solution in a volume of 0.3 ml, together with a mixture of 2.5% hydrocortisone acetate emulsion at the rate of 20 mg per 100 g of body weight, and dexamethasone solution at the dose of 0.5 mg. Blood cells were studied using the Mindray DC-2800 Vet Auto Hematology Analyzer automated rat blood test system. The dynamics of pro-inflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), antiinflammatory cytokines: interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. To predict the course of inflammation towards complications, or resolution of the inflammatory process, the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines was used, with normal ratio considered an estimated average of the cytokine ratio for the control group. When analyzing results of this experimental study, the nature of cellular inflammatory response was assessed in dynamics, and its relationship with inflammation markers was determined. All animals of the main group developed soft tissue phlegmon within 3 to 7 days from the beginning of the experiment, and their mortality rate was 100%. In comparison group, the abscesses developed in 82.8% of cases on the day 12 to 15 from the start of the experiment, without any deaths observed. The ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the main group increased 8-fold already by the end of the 1st day, the comparison group was characterized by the absence of significant differences from the control group. The highest levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were recorded in the main experimental group on the days 12 to 15.

Introduction: The success of hard tissue regeneration techniques in the pre-implantation phase is correlated with the primary healing of the surgical wound. For this reason, the essential moment in the implementation of this procedure is the passivation of the flaps and their sufficient mobilization. Aim: The study aimed to obtain an increase in the soft tissue volume using surgical expanders and then proceed with guided bone regeneration techniques. Case presentation: Two patients presented for implant procedures with clinically and radiologically confirmed diagnoses of bone tissue atrophy and fibrous scars on soft tissues which were to be healed in the phase of pre-implantation preparation. Osmed® expander, which was used in the procedure, consists of a hydrogel, a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidone, and is contained in a cylindrical perforated silicone sheath. The final soft tissue expansion after 4 weeks was increased in volume by about 38%. Conclusion: The technique of increasing the volume of soft tissue with the use of an expander enabled the increase of soft tissues in a separate surgical procedure, freeing the surgeon from the relaxation of the flap during the phase of implanting the artificial bone, and thus excluding possible disturbing factors that interfere with the primary healing of the wound during that surgical procedure.

Abstract Purpose Biofilm-free implant surface is ultimate prerequisite for successful soft and bone tissue integration. Objective of the study was to estimate the effects of argon plasma healing abutment pre-treatment (PT) on peri-implant soft-tissue phenotype (PiSP), inflammation, plaque accumulation and the microbiome (PiM) between non-treated (NPT) and treated (PT) abutments following 3-months healing period. The hypothesis was that cell-conductive and antimicrobial properties of PT would yield optimal conditions for soft tissue integration. Material and Methods Two months following second-phase surgery, microbiological and clinical parameters were assessed around thirty-six healing abutments with two types of microtopography, smooth surface (MACHINED) and ultrathin threaded microsurface (ROUGH). A two level randomization schema was used to achieve equal distribution and abutments were randomly divided into rough and machined groups, and then divided into PT and NPT groups. PiM was assessed using next-generation DNA sequencing. Results PiM bacterial composition was highly diverse already two months post-implantation, consisting of key-stone pathogens, early and late colonizers, while the mycobiome was less diverse. PT was associated with lower plaque accumulation and inflammation without significant impact on PiSP, while in NPT clinical parameters were increased and associated with periopathogens. NPT mostly harbored late colonizers, while PT exerted higher abundance of early colonizers suggesting less advanced plaque formation. Interaction analysis in PT demonstrated S. mitis co-occurrence with pro-healthy Rothia dentocariosa and co-exclusion with Parvimonas micra, Porphyromonas endodontalis and Prevotella oris. PiSP parameters were generally similar between the groups, but significant association between PiM and keratinized mucosa width was observed in both groups, with remarkably more expressed diversity in NPT compared to PT. PT resulted in significantly lower BOP and PI around rough and machined abutments, respectively, without specific effect on PiM and PiSP. Conclusions PT contributed to significantly the less advanced biofilm accumulation and inflammation without specific effects on PiSP.