Diagnostics最新文献

{"title":"Thymidine Kinase 1 Expression Correlates with Tumor Aggressiveness and Metastatic Potential in OSCC.","authors":"Chia-Jung Lee, Pei-Wen Peng, Chia-Yu Wu, Tsung-Ming Chang, Ju-Fang Liu, Kuan-Chou Lin","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121567","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121567","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the oral cavity and is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Identifying reliable biomarkers that can predict tumor progression and serve as therapeutic targets remains an urgent clinical need. <b>Methods:</b> To identify key molecular drivers in OSCC, we performed an integrative bioinformatics analysis of five OSCC-related microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and subjected to functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and hub gene ranking using Cytoscape. Candidate genes were further validated using TCGA, UALCAN, and the Human Protein Atlas. In vitro functional assays were performed to evaluate the effect of TK1 knockdown on cell migration. <b>Results:</b> A total of 138 common DEGs were identified across datasets. GO enrichment revealed that these genes were associated with cell proliferation, extracellular matrix organization, and metastasis-related processes. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) was identified as a key hub gene and found to be consistently overexpressed in OSCC tissues. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high TK1 expression correlated with poor overall survival in head and neck cancer. TK1 knockdown in OSCC cell lines significantly impaired cell migration and wound-healing ability. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings suggest that TK1 plays an active role in promoting OSCC progression and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for metastatic OSCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improvement of Colonoscopic Image Quality Using a New LED Endoscopic System with Specialized Noise Reduction.","authors":"Naohisa Yoshida, Masahiro Okada, Yoshikazu Hayashi, Reo Kobayashi, Ken Inoue, Osamu Dohi, Yoshito Itoh, Ryohei Hirose, Lucas Cardoso, Kohei Suzuki, Tomonori Yano, Hironori Yamamoto","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121569","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121569","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> A new LED endoscopy system featuring advanced noise-reduction technology, the EP-8000 with the EC-860ZP colonoscope (Fujifilm), was introduced in 2024. We evaluated the improvements in colonoscopic image quality of this system, comparing it with a previous system/scope (VP-7000/EC-760ZP). <b>Methods:</b> This is a multicenter, observational study. From January 2024 to February 2025, 150 patients undergoing colonoscopy at two institutions were enrolled. Images of the cecum and lesions were captured using white light imaging (WLI), blue light imaging (BLI), and linked color imaging (LCI) under similar conditions. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (EP-8000+EC-860ZP; 50 cases), Group 2 (EP-8000+EC-760ZP; 50 cases), and Group 3 (VP-7000+EC-760ZP; 50 cases). Cecal and lesion images were evaluated for brightness, halation, and visibility using a four-point scale (1 = poor to 4 = excellent) by endoscopists and original values by image-analysis software. <b>Results:</b> In cecal images, the endoscopists' scores in Group 1 were significantly better than in Group 3 for brightness (WLI: 3.71 ± 0.55 vs. 3.51 ± 0.58, <i>p</i> < 0.001, BLI: 3.15 ± 0.85 vs. 2.23 ± 0.92, <i>p</i> < 0.001; LCI: 3.83 ± 0.42 vs. 3.54 ± 0.58, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and for halation (WLI: 3.60 ± 0.51 vs. 3.18 ± 0.59, <i>p</i> < 0.001, BLI: 2.99 ± 0.69 vs. 2.71 ± 0.78, <i>p</i> < 0.001; LCI: 3.33 ± 0.60 vs. 3.10 ± 0.58, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Software analysis confirmed that Group 1 had superior brightness values compared with Group 3 for WLI, BLI, and LCI, as well as lower halation values for WLI and LCI. Regarding lesion images, brightness, halation, and visibility for WLI, BLI, and LCI were superior in Group 1 than in Group 3. <b>Conclusions:</b> The new LED system provided improvements in brightness, halation, and lesion visibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Broad Electrocardiogram Syndromes Spectrum: From Common Emergencies to Particular Electrical Heart Disorders-Part II.","authors":"Alexandr Ceasovschih, Anastasia Balta, Victorița Șorodoc, Krishnaraj Rathod, Ahmed El Gohary, Serghei Covantsev, Richárd Masszi, Yusuf Ziya Şener, Alexandru Corlăteanu, Syed Haseeb Raza Naqvi, Alexandra Grejdieru, Nicholas G Kounis, Laurențiu Șorodoc","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121568","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The electrocardiogram (ECG) remains a cornerstone of modern cardiology, providing rapid, non-invasive, and widely accessible diagnostic insights. While ECG interpretation is an essential skill for clinicians, certain patterns can be subtle or atypical, posing diagnostic challenges. In our previous review (doi.org/10.3390/jpm12111754), we explored several uncommon ECG syndromes with significant clinical implications. However, the spectrum of electrocardiographic abnormalities extends far beyond those initially discussed. In this second installment, we expand our discussion of rare and underrecognized ECG syndromes, including Long QT, Jervell and Lange-Nielsen, Romano-Ward, Andersen-Tawil, Timothy, Short QT, and Twiddler's syndromes, as well as Noonan, Barlow's, Bundgaard, BRASH, Carvajal, Naxos, and Danon disease. We highlight their clinical context, characteristic findings, and implications for diagnosis and management. These conditions range from acute, life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate intervention to chronic electrical disorders necessitating long-term monitoring and risk stratification. By broadening our focus, we aim to enhance awareness and recognition of these entities, ultimately improving patient outcomes through timely and accurate diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191927/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144494987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Exploration of Discrepant Recalls Between AI and Human Readers of Malignant Lesions in Digital Mammography Screening.","authors":"Suzanne L van Winkel, Ioannis Sechopoulos, Alejandro Rodríguez-Ruiz, Wouter J H Veldkamp, Gisella Gennaro, Margarita Chevalier, Thomas H Helbich, Tianyu Zhang, Matthew G Wallis, Ritse M Mann","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121566","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital mammography (DM) screening holds promise for early breast cancer detection, potentially enhancing accuracy and efficiency. However, AI performance is not identical to that of human observers. We aimed to identify common morphological image characteristics of true cancers that are missed by either AI or human screening when their interpretations are discrepant. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-six breast cancer-positive cases, identified from a large retrospective multi-institutional digital mammography dataset based on discrepant AI and human interpretations, were included in a reader study. Ground truth was confirmed by histopathology or ≥1-year follow-up. Fourteen radiologists assessed lesion visibility, morphological features, and likelihood of malignancy. AI performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC). The reader study results were analyzed using interobserver agreement measures and descriptive statistics. <b>Results:</b> AI demonstrated high discriminative capability in the full dataset, with AUCs ranging from 0.903 (95% CI: 0.862-0.944) to 0.946 (95% CI: 0.896-0.996). Cancers missed by AI had a significantly smaller median size (9.0 mm, IQR 6.5-12.0) compared to those missed by human readers (21.0 mm, IQR 10.5-41.0) (<i>p</i> = 0.0014). Cancers in discrepant cases were often described as having 'low visibility', 'indistinct margins', or 'irregular shape'. Calcifications were observed in 27% of human-missed cancers (42/154) versus 18% of AI-missed cancers (38/210). A very high likelihood of malignancy was assigned in 32.5% (50/154) of human-missed cancers compared to 19.5% (41/210) of AI-missed cancers. Overall inter-rater agreement was poor to fair (<0.40), indicating interpretation challenges of the selected images. Among the human-missed cancers, calcifications were more frequent (42/154; 27%) than among the AI-missed cancers (38/210; 18%) (<i>p</i> = 0.396). Furthermore, 50/154 (32.5%) human-missed cancers were deemed to have a very high likelihood of malignancy, compared to 41/210 (19.5%) AI-missed cancers (<i>p</i> = 0.8). Overall inter-rater agreement on the items assessed during the reader study was poor to fair (<0.40), suggesting that interpretation of the selected images was challenging. <b>Conclusions:</b> Lesions missed by AI were smaller and less often calcified than cancers missed by human readers. Cancers missed by AI tended to show lower levels of suspicion than those missed by human readers. While definitive conclusions are premature, the findings highlight the complementary roles of AI and human readers in mammographic interpretation.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191860/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Trauma Scoring Systems for Predicting Mortality in Emergency Department Patients with Traffic-Related Multiple Trauma.","authors":"Murtaza Kaya, Harun Yildirim, Mehmet Toprak, Mehmed Ulu","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121563","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121563","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Trauma scoring systems are essential tools for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with multiple injuries. This study aimed to compare the performance of various anatomical and physiological scoring systems in predicting mortality among patients admitted to the emergency department following traffic accidents. <b>Methods:</b> In this prospective observational study, trauma patients presenting with traffic-related injuries were evaluated using seven scoring systems: ISS, NISS, AIS, GCS, RTS, TRISS, and APACHE II. Demographic data, clinical findings, and laboratory values were recorded. The prognostic performance of each score was assessed using ROC curve analysis, and diagnostic metrics including sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were calculated. <b>Results:</b> Among 554 patients included in the study, the overall mortality rate was 2%. The TRISS and GCS scores demonstrated the highest predictive performance, each with an AUC of 0.98, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity exceeding 93%. APACHE II followed closely with an AUC of 0.97, also achieving 100% sensitivity. NISS (AUC = 0.92) and ISS (AUC = 0.91) were effective anatomical scores, while RTS showed moderate predictive value (AUC = 0.90). Strong correlations were noted between ISS, NISS, and AIS (Rho > 0.85), while RTS was negatively correlated with these anatomical scores. All scoring systems showed statistically significant associations with mortality. <b>Conclusions:</b> TRISS, GCS, and APACHE II were the most effective trauma scoring systems in predicting mortality among emergency department patients. While complex models offer higher accuracy, simpler scores such as RTS and GCS remain valuable for rapid triage. The integration of both anatomical and physiological parameters may enhance early risk stratification and support timely decision-making in trauma care.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Precision Medicine in Lung Cancer Screening: A Paradigm Shift in Early Detection-Precision Screening for Lung Cancer.","authors":"Hsin-Hung Chen, Yun-Ju Wu, Fu-Zong Wu","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121562","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, largely due to late-stage diagnoses. While low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has improved early detection and reduced mortality in high-risk populations, traditional screening strategies often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach based primarily on age and smoking history. This can lead to limitations, such as overdiagnosis, false positives, and the underrepresentation of non-smokers, which are especially prevalent in Asian populations. Precision medicine offers a transformative solution by tailoring screening protocols to individual risk profiles through the integration of clinical, genetic, environmental, and radiological data. Emerging tools, such as risk prediction models, radiomics, artificial intelligence (AI), and liquid biopsies, enhance the accuracy of screening, allowing for the identification of high-risk individuals who may not meet conventional criteria. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and molecular biomarkers further refine stratification, enabling more personalized and effective screening intervals. Incorporating these innovations into clinical workflows, alongside shared decision-making (SDM) and robust data infrastructure, represents a paradigm shift in lung cancer prevention. However, implementation must also address challenges related to health equity, algorithmic bias, and system integration. As precision medicine continues to evolve, it holds the promise of optimizing early detection, minimizing harm, and extending the benefits of lung cancer screening to broader and more diverse populations. This review explores the current landscape and future directions of precision medicine in lung cancer screening, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and population-specific strategies to realize its full potential in reducing the global burden of lung cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prehospital Performance of Five Early Warning Scores to Predict Long-Term Mortality in Patients with Suspected Respiratory Infections.","authors":"Enrique Castro-Portillo, Raúl López-Izquierdo, Irene Bermúdez Castellanos, Miguel Á Castro Villamor, Ancor Sanz-García, Francisco Martín-Rodríguez","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121565","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Respiratory infections (RIs) are a common cause of care by Prehospital Emergency Medical Services (PEMS). Early Warning Scores (EWS) are tools used by PEMS to assess patients with acute pathology. However, there is little evidence of their application in RIs. The primary aim of this study was to assess the ability of five EWS to predict one-year mortality (M1Y) and two-year (M2Y) mortality in patients with suspected RI assisted by PEMS. The secondary objective was to perform a survival analysis. <b>Methods:</b> An observational and prospective study was conducted in adult patients with RIs transferred by EMS to their referral hospital. The variables necessary for the calculation of EWS [National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, Quick COVID-19 Severity Index (qCSI), CURB-65 Score for Pneumonia Severity (CURB-65) and BAP-65 Score for Acute Exacerbation of COPD (BAP-65) score] were collected. The prognostic ability of the EWS was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Patients were followed up and a survival study was performed. <b>Results:</b> A total of 819 patients met the inclusion criteria. M1Y was 55.9% and M2Y was 63.5%. BAP-65 showed the best predictive ability at both 1 and 2 years, with AUC of 0.716 and 0.711, respectively. 48.8% of deaths took place during the first month. <b>Conclusions:</b> BAP-65 was the score with the best ability to predict both M1Y and M2Y after the index event in patients with RIs. All other EWS analyzed showed poor performance except in patients with low comorbidity.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advanced Multi-Level Ensemble Learning Approaches for Comprehensive Sperm Morphology Assessment.","authors":"Abdulsamet Aktas, Taha Cap, Gorkem Serbes, Hamza Osman Ilhan, Hakkı Uzun","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121564","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121564","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Fertility is fundamental to human well-being, significantly impacting both individual lives and societal development. In particular, sperm morphology-referring to the shape, size, and structural integrity of sperm cells-is a key indicator in diagnosing male infertility and selecting viable sperm in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, traditional manual evaluation methods are highly subjective and inconsistent, creating a need for standardized, automated systems. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aims to develop a robust and fully automated sperm morphology classification framework capable of accurately identifying a wide range of morphological abnormalities, thereby minimizing observer variability and improving diagnostic support in reproductive healthcare. <b>Methods:</b> We propose a novel ensemble-based classification approach that combines convolutional neural network (CNN)-derived features using both feature-level and decision-level fusion techniques. Features extracted from multiple EfficientNetV2 variants are fused and classified using Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Multi-Layer Perceptron with Attention (MLP-Attention). Decision-level fusion is achieved via soft voting to enhance robustness and accuracy. <b>Results:</b> The proposed ensemble framework was evaluated using the Hi-LabSpermMorpho dataset, which contains 18 distinct sperm morphology classes. The fusion-based model achieved an accuracy of 67.70%, significantly outperforming individual classifiers. The integration of multiple CNN architectures and ensemble techniques effectively mitigated class imbalance and enhanced the generalizability of the model. <b>Conclusions:</b> The presented methodology demonstrates a substantial improvement over traditional and single-model approaches in automated sperm morphology classification. By leveraging ensemble learning and multi-level fusion, the model provides a reliable and scalable solution for clinical decision-making in male fertility assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192502/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiographic and Histopathological Characteristics of Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis of the Mandible in Pediatric Patients: Case Series.","authors":"Mohammed Barayan, Nagla'a Abdel Wahed, Narmin Helal, Hisham Abbas Komo, Durer Iskanderani, Raghd Alansari, Nada A Alhindi, Azza F Alhelo, Hanadi Khalifa, Hanadi Sabban","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121549","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background and Clinical Significance:</b> Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) of the jaw is a rare autoinflammatory bone disorder that primarily affects children and adolescents. Diagnosing CNO of the mandible can be challenging due to its rarity, and the clinical and radiographic findings overlap with those of other bone disorders. <b>Case Presentation:</b> This case series retrospectively presents four female pediatric patients (9-12 years old) diagnosed with mandibular CNO. The patients were treated at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2018 and 2024. Clinical features and radiographic and histopathological findings were evaluated. All cases had mandibular swelling and pain. Radiographic features consistently revealed mixed sclerotic and radiolucent lesions with bone expansion and periosteal reactions. Histopathological findings revealed viable bone interspersed with varying degrees of fibrous tissue. No evidence of bacterial colonies or inflammation was observed. This case series highlights the radiographic and histopathological features of CNO in the mandible of pediatric patients. The mixed radiographic features and variability of histopathological findings combined with the refractory nature of the lesions contribute to diagnostic complexity. Diagnostic challenges include differentiating CNO from other inflammatory and fibro-osseous conditions. The presence of recurrent episodes of pain, the formation of subperiosteal bone, periostitis, lysis of the cortical layer, expansion of the mandibular canal, and sterile bone biopsies with nonspecific inflammatory changes were related mainly to CNO. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings underscore the need for increased awareness and a multidisciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis and management of CNO. Conservative management, particularly in dental cases, avoids prolonged unnecessary use of antibiotics, and the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be followed.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12192254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sound Localization Training and Induced Brain Plasticity: An fMRI Investigation.","authors":"Ranjita Kumari, Sukhan Lee, Pradeep Kumar Anand, Jitae Shin","doi":"10.3390/diagnostics15121558","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diagnostics15121558","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Neuroimaging techniques have been increasingly utilized to explore neuroplasticity induced by various training regimens. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables to study these changes non-invasively. While visual and motor training have been widely studied, less is known about how auditory training affects brain activity. Our objective was to investigate the effects of sound localization training on brain activity and identify brain regions exhibiting significant changes in activation pre- and post-training to understand how sound localization training induces plasticity in the brain. <b>Method</b>: Six blindfolded participants each underwent 30-minute sound localization training sessions twice a week for three weeks. All participants completed functional MRI (fMRI) testing before and after the training. <b>Results:</b> fMRI scans revealed that sound localization training led to increased activation in several cortical areas, including the superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, and postcentral gyrus. These regions are associated with cognitive processes such as auditory processing, spatial working memory, planning, decision-making, error detection, and motor control. Conversely, a decrease in activation was observed in the left middle temporal gyrus, a region linked to language comprehension and semantic memory. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that sound localization training enhances neural activity in areas involved in higher-order cognitive functions, spatial attention, and motor execution, while potentially reducing reliance on regions involved in basic sensory processing. This study provides evidence of training-induced neuroplasticity, highlighting the brain's capacity to adapt through targeted auditory training intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":11225,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostics","volume":"15 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12191560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144495154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}