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Category: biotech/medical – Page 406

Non-invasive imaging modalities for diagnosing pulsatile tinnitus: a comprehensive review and recommended imaging algorithm

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a challenging diagnostic condition arising from various vascular, neoplastic, and systemic disorders. Non-invasive imaging is essential for identifying underlying causes while minimizing risks of invasive diagnostic angiography. Although no consensus exists on the primary imaging modality for PT and currently CT, ultrasound, and MRI are used in the diagnostic pathway, MRI is increasingly preferred as the first-line screening test for its diagnostic efficacy and safety. MRI protocols such as time-of-flight, magnetic resonance angiography, diffusion-weighted imaging, and arterial spin labeling can identify serious causes, including vascular shunting lesions, venous sinus stenosis, and tumors.

Carotid Plexus Sympathetic Nerves as a Landmark for the… : Operative Neurosurgery

The abducens nerve (CN VI) is vulnerable to injury during endoscopic endonasal transcavernous surgery. In this study, the authors aimed to develop the surgical anatomic landmark and explore the relationship between the sympathetic nerves (SNs) around the internal carotid artery (ICA) and CN VI within the cavernous sinus (CS).

METHODS:

The relationship and patterns between the SNs and CN VI were investigated in 15 cadaveric specimens. The intraoperative examples of anatomic landmark were presented.

Immune System Overactivity May Drive Mental Illness

New research from the University of Bristol has uncovered striking links between immune system proteins and neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. By analyzing large genetic datasets using Mendelian randomisation, scientists identified 29 immune-related proteins potentially playing a causal role in these disorders.

The findings suggest that mental health conditions may not be isolated to the brain but involve the entire body, potentially reshaping future treatment strategies. This video explores how inflammation and immune pathways could be the next frontier in neuropsychiatric care.

#mentalhealth #immunesystem #neuroscience #health #psychology #depression

Scientists create a ‘brilliantly luminous’ nanoscale chemical tool

University of Missouri researchers developed the tiny clay-based materials that can be customized for a range of analytical, commercial and medical applications.

Imagine tiny LEGO pieces that automatically snap together to form a strong, flat sheet. Then, scientists add special chemical “hooks” to these sheets to attach glowing molecules called fluorophores.

Associate Professor Gary Baker, Piyuni Ishtaweera, Ph.D., and their team have created these tiny, clay-based materials—called fluorescent polyionic nanoclays. They can be customized for many uses, including advancing energy and sensor technology, improving medical treatments and protecting the environment.

World’s smallest pacemaker is activated by light

Northwestern University engineers have developed a pacemaker so tiny that it can fit inside the tip of a syringe — and be non-invasively injected into the body.

Smaller than a single grain of rice, the pacemaker is paired with a small, soft, flexible, wireless, wearable device that mounts onto a patient’s chest to control pacing. When the wearable device detects an irregular heartbeat, it automatically shines a light pulse to activate the pacemaker. These short pulses— which penetrate through the patient’s skin, breastbone and muscles — control the pacing. #Repost

Although it can work with hearts of all sizes, the pacemaker is particularly well-suited to the tiny, fragile hearts of newborn babies with congenital heart defects.

Designed for patients who only need temporary pacing, the pacemaker simply dissolves after it’s no longer needed. All the pacemaker’s components are biocompatible, so they naturally dissolve into the body’s biofluids, bypassing the need for surgical extraction.

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