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Objectives To investigate the association between preoperative texture analysis from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Fifty-six patients with biopsy-proved gastric cancer were examined by MDCT and treated with surgery. Image features from texture analysis were quantified, with and without filters for fine to coarse textures. The association with survival time was assessed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox analysis. Results The following parameters were significantly associated with a negative prognosis, according to different thresholds: energy [no filter] – Logarithm of relative risk (Log RR): 3.25; p  = 0.046; entropy [no filter] (Log RR: 5.96; p  = 0.002); entropy [filter 1.5] (Log RR: 3.54; p  = 0.027); maximum Hounsfield unit value [filter 1.5] (Log RR: 3.44; p  = 0.027); skewness [filter 2] (Log RR: 5.83; p  = 0.004); root mean square [filter 1] (Log RR: - 2.66; p  = 0.024) and mean absolute deviation [filter 2] (Log RR: - 4.22; p  = 0.007). Conclusions Texture analysis could increase the performance of a multivariate prognostic model for risk stratification in gastric cancer. Further evaluations are warranted to clarify the clinical role of texture analysis from MDCT. Key points • Textural analysis from computed tomography can be applied in gastric cancer . • Preoperative non - invasive texture features are related to prognosis in gastric cancer . • Texture analysis could help to evaluate the aggressiveness of this tumour .

This Special Issue is a collection of five scientific papers and five reviews concerning current topics in abdominal imaging with attention on the diagnosis and interventional management of specific diseases [...]

Purpose To report ischemic and haemorrhagic abdominal complications in a series of COVID-19 patients. To correlate these complications with lung involvement, laboratory tests, comorbidities, and anticoagulant treatment. Methods We retrospectively included 30 COVID-19 patients who undergone abdomen CECT for abdominal pain, between March 16 and May 19, 2020. Ischemic and haemorrhagic complications were compared with lung involvement (early, progressive, peak or absorption stage), blood coagulation values, anticoagulant therapy, comorbidities, and presence of pulmonary embolism (PE). Results Ischemic complications were documented in 10 patients (7 receiving anticoagulant therapy, 70%): 6/10 small bowel ischemia (1 concomitant obstruction, 1 perforation) and 4/10 ischemic colitis. Main mesenteric vessels were patent except for 1 superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Two ischemia cases also presented splenic infarctions. Bleeding complications were found in 20 patients (all receiving anticoagulant treatments), half with active bleeding: hematomas in soft tissues (15) and retroperitoneum (2) and gastro-intestinal bleeding (3). Platelet and lymphocyte were within the normal range. d -Dimer was significantly higher in ischemic cases ( p  < 0.001). Most of the patients had severe lung disease (45% peak, 29% absorption), two patients PE. Conclusions Ischemic and haemorrhagic abdominal complications may occur in COVID-19 patients, particularly associated to extended lung disease. CT plays a key role in the diagnosis of these potentially life- threatening conditions.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) poses a multifaceted challenge in women’s health, necessitating an integrated approach that addresses its diverse etiologies and clinical presentations. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics PALM-COEIN classification system provides a systematic approach to the diagnosis of AUB in non-pregnant women, based on clinical and imaging-based categorization of causes into structural (Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyomas and Malignancy; PALM), and non-structural causes (Coagulopathies, Ovulatory disorders, primary Endometrial disorders, Iatrogenic and Not otherwise classified; COEIN). On the other hand, placental disorders, uterine rupture, ectopic pregnancy and retained products of conceptions are the main causes of uterine bleeding during pregnancy and in the peripartum period. Ultrasound is usually the first-line imaging technique for the differential diagnosis of causes of AUB. Computed Tomography may be useful if ultrasound findings are unclear, especially in emergency settings. Magnetic resonance imaging, when indicated, is an excellent second-line diagnostic tool for a better non-invasive characterization of the underlying cause of AUB. This pictorial review aims to illustrate the main causes of AUB from the point of view of diagnostic imaging and to show not-so-common cases that can be treated by means of interventional radiology.

Olea europaea L. is considered a very resilient species to water deficits. Climate change, characterized by warmer summers and drier winters, may challenge even this adaptable species, potentially making once-suitable areas less viable for cultivation. Identifying cultivars with enhanced drought tolerance is essential for the future of olive growing. This study aimed to evaluate the water stress response of four olive cultivars: Biancolilla, Calatina, Nocellara del Belice, and Koroneiki, by analyzing their physiological traits and hydraulic properties. Potted plants were subjected to three irrigation treatments: T20, T50, and T100, corresponding to 20%, 50%, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration over approximately two months. Midday stem water potential and gas exchange were monitored throughout the trial. At the end of the experiment, plants were analyzed using a High-Pressure Flowmeter (HPFM) to measure hydraulic conductance (k) in leaves, shoots, trunks, and roots, providing insights into the plant’s hydraulic architecture. On these bases, the study aimed to identify strategies that different cultivars use to handle water stress. Biomass distribution and growth were significantly affected by cultivar and irrigation, with reductions occurring under severe stress, particularly in the shoots and leaves, while root biomass remained relatively stable. The relative stability of the root system and changes in canopy-to-root ratios highlight adaptive responses aimed at maintaining water uptake and ensuring stress resilience. ‘Calatina’ and ‘Nocellara del Belice’ showed less sensitivity to irrigation levels, maintaining relatively stable dry matter across all organs and treatments, while ‘Biancolilla’ and ‘Koroneiki’ exhibited the opposite. Different relative allocation strategies were evident: ‘Calatina’ prioritized shoot and leaves biomass and showed dwarfing growth; ‘Biancolilla’ invested more in trunk development, as well as ‘Nocellara del Belice’; ‘Koroneiki’ focused more resources on roots. Distinct hydraulic strategies emerged among the cultivars: ‘Koroneiki’ maintained high conductance in aerial parts, supporting sustained photosynthesis and growth; ‘Calatina’ adopted a conservative approach, prioritizing root conductance and limiting transpiration; while ‘Biancolilla’ and ‘Nocellara del Belice’ exhibited intermediate, balanced responses. These findings confirm the strong link between hydraulic architecture and physiological performance, offering insight into cultivar-specific responses to water stress and growth potential.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities, as part of venous thromboembolism disorder, is the third leading cause of acute cardiovascular syndrome after heart attack and stroke. It can result in disability due to pulmonary embolism (PE) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), particularly in cases where the thrombosis extends to the iliofemoral veins. Anticoagulation therapy is effective in preventing thrombus propagation and embolism but may not be sufficient for thrombus degradation and venous patency restoration. Up to 50% of patients with iliofemoral DVT develop PTS, mainly due to venous outflow obstruction or valvular incompetence. To date, the advent of new devices that enables rapid thrombus elimination and the restoration of deep venous patency, known as the “OPEN VEIN hypothesis”, may prevent valvular damage and reflux, cutting down the rate of PTS. Similarly, chronic venous disease could be related to a stenosis or occlusion of a major vein that can restrict blood flow. In this setting, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an essential tool for correct diagnostic and therapeutic planning in acute and chronic vein disease. Only angiography in vein disease can limit the procedure’s efficacy, with a high rate of stenosis misdiagnosed; IVUS provides further imaging that complements traditional angiographic study, and its role is now established by different international guidelines. If compared to angiography, IVUS allows for the evaluation of major axial veins in a 360-degree ultrasound image of the lumen and of the vessel wall structure. At the same time, the precise location and size of the major lower extremity veins allow for the placement of the stent to be more straightforward with a precise dimension of the vein in all of its diameters; moreover, other abnormalities should be visualized as acute or chronic thrombus, fibrosis, or trabeculations. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of IVUS findings in acute and chronic lower extremity DVT, emphasizing its diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Developing an efficient and sustainable precision irrigation strategy is crucial in contemporary agriculture. This study aimed to combine proximal and remote sensing techniques to show the benefits of using both monitoring methods, simultaneously assessing the water status and response of ‘Calatina’ olive under two distinct irrigation levels: full irrigation (FI), and drought stress (DS, -3 to -4 MPa). Stem water potential (Ψ stem ) and stomatal conductance (g s ) were monitored weekly as reference indicators of plant water status. Crop water stress index (CWSI) and stomatal conductance index (Ig) were calculated through ground-based infrared thermography. Fruit gauges were used to monitor continuously fruit growth and data were converted in fruit daily weight fluctuations (ΔW) and relative growth rate (RGR). Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference RedEdge index (NDRE), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI), chlorophyll vegetation index (CVI), modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), water index (WI), normalized difference greenness index (NDGI) and green index (GI) were calculated from data collected by UAV-mounted multispectral camera. Data obtained from proximal sensing were correlated with both Ψ stem and g s , while remote sensing data were correlated only with Ψ stem . Regression analysis showed that both CWSI and Ig proved to be reliable indicators of Ψ stem and g s . Of the two fruit growth parameters, ΔW exhibited a stronger relationship, primarily with Ψ stem . Finally, NDVI, GNDVI, WI and NDRE emerged as the vegetation indices that correlated most strongly with Ψ stem , achieving high R 2 values. Combining proximal and remote sensing indices suggested two valid approaches: a more simplified one involving the use of CWSI and either NDVI or WI, and a more comprehensive one involving CWSI and ΔW as proximal indices, along with WI as a multispectral index. Further studies on combining proximal and remote sensing data will be necessary in order to find strategic combinations of sensors and establish intervention thresholds.

Xylella fastidiosa , a highly pathogenic, xylem-limited, gram-negative bacterial species, represents a significant threat to many plant species, including olive, almond, grapevine, and alfalfa. Through cross-species transcriptomic analysis of Olea europaea , Prunus dulcis , Vitis vinifera , and Medicago sativa , we identified a novel core resistance network consisting of 18 conserved genes against Xylella fastidiosa , alongside 1852 divergent expression patterns. These common genes may play a crucial role in orchestrating a multi-layered plant defense response, enabling (1) structural reinforcement as well as facilitating cuticular wax biosynthesis ( KCS11 and KAS1 ); (2) stress signaling mediated by hormonal crosstalk involving jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA) mediated by the genes AOS and CYP707A4 , alongside calcium signaling through ACA12 gene; (3) antimicrobial 22 compound production (β-amyrin synthase BAS , ABC transporter PDR6 ); and (4) resource optimization through trehalose metabolism (AT1G23870) and amino acid transport ( AAP2 ). The protein-protein interaction networks revealed coordinated regulation of immune hubs including BAK1, WRKY33, and WRKY40, with novel connections to subtilase proteases and ubiquitin-proteasome components. This conserved molecular framework highlights evolutionary convergence in plant defenses against xylem pathogens, providing future targets for engineering resistance through cell wall modification, stress signaling potentiation, and secondary metabolite engineering.

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are rare, usually asymptomatic and incidentally discovered during a routine radiological examination. Shared guidelines suggest their treatment in the following conditions: VAAs with diameter larger than 2 cm, or 3 times exceeding the target artery; VAAs with a progressive growth of at least 0.5 cm per year; symptomatic or ruptured VAAs. Endovascular treatment, less burdened by morbidity and mortality than surgery, is generally the preferred option. Selection of the best strategy depends on the visceral artery involved, aneurysm characteristics, the clinical scenario and the operator’s experience. Tortuosity of VAAs almost always makes embolization the only technically feasible option. The present narrative review reports state of the art and new perspectives on the main endovascular and other interventional options in the treatment of VAAs. Embolization techniques and materials, use of covered and flow-diverting stents and percutaneous approaches are accurately analyzed based on the current literature. Visceral artery-related considerations and targeted approaches are also provided and discussed.

Background: The LI-RADS classification is widely used for the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk stratification of liver nodules in cirrhotic patients. The evaluation of nodule enhancement, which is a major criterion, commonly relies on qualitative assessment. This study aims to investigate the potential role of material density (MD) parameters in the iodine maps of spectral computed tomography (SCT) to discriminate between LI-RADS (v2018 CORE) categories in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Dual-energy SCT scans of cirrhotic patients with suspected HCC, taken between March 1st, 2022 and September 30th, 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. All the images were reviewed by trained radiologists to classify nodules as LI-RADS 3, 4, or 5 by consensus. MD maps were generated in the hepatic arterial phase (HAP), portal venous phase (PVP), and equilibrium phase (EP). The iodine concentration density (ICD) values of nodules (ICDnodule) and the non-nodular liver parenchyma (ICDliver) were measured to calculate lesion-to-non-nodular liver ICD ratio (LNR), as well as their differences (ΔICD) and ratios (rLNR). Results were correlated with LI-RADS categories. Results: A total of 69 patients were included and 79 DECT exams were assessed. Overall, 197 nodules (size 24.67 ± 23.11 mm, mean ± SD) were categorized into different LI-RADS classes: 44 were classed as LI-RADS 3 (22.3%), 14 were classed as LI-RADS 4 (7.1%), and 139 were classed as LI-RADS 5 (70.6%). The arterial LNR, arterial ICDnodule, ΔICD, and rLNR between HAP and PVP discriminated between LI-RADS 3 and LI-RADS 4+5 nodules (p < 0.001). All the calculated MD parameters showed high diagnostic accuracy rates (all AUCs = 70–73%). Conclusions: MD parameters of liver nodules measured in SCT scans are viable diagnostic tools that may increase the radiologist’s confidence in LI-RADS class allocation in cirrhotic patients. This preliminary and speculative study can serve as a baseline for the potential quantification of iodine concentrations of focal liver lesions to reduce subjectivity in hepatic nodule assessment and reporting. Future perspectives include the quantification of iodine concentration for prognostic stratification before locoregional and systemic treatments in HCC patients.