It was demonstrated that the thermographic measurements supplemented by the mathematical model offer a new approach to the quantification of allergen-induced skin reactions. Despite the applied simplifications, the proposed model reflected properly the mechanism of heat generation during skin prick test. Moreover, the continuous recording of the skin temperature represents an additional possibility to investigate the mechanism of the allergic reaction.

The aim of this study was to examine the variations of the Achilles tendon (AT) insertion point into the calcaneal bone (CB) in relation to age and sex using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 202 foot and ankle MRIs were reviewed and patients were allocated into three age groups: (I) <18, (II) 18-65, and (III) >65 years. All measurements were obtained on a mid-sagittal scan. The mean measurement values were used to assess the relationships among the AT insertion point, sex, and age. Our main findings revealed that (1) the distance between the most inferior point of the CB and the most inferior part of the AT insertion into the CB increases with age, (2) the height of the AT insertion into the posterior aspect of the CB decreases with age, and (3) the length of the AT insertion into the posterior aspect of the CB decreases with age. The terminal insertion point of the ATon the CB in younger subjects was more distal, whereas in older individuals it was more proximal. These results could help in developing novel strategies for the treatment and prophylaxis of AT injuries in particular patient age groups. Anatomical data about the AT insertion are crucial for developing a computer model of the ATand for biomechanical considerations regarding this tendon. Clin. Anat. 33:545-551, 2020.

Skin dynamic termography supplemented by a mathematical model is presented as an objective and sensitive indicator of the skin prick test result. Termographic measurements were performed simultaneously with routine skin prick tests. The IR images were acquired every 70 s up to 910 s after skin prick. In the model histamine is treated as the principal mediator of the allergic reaction. Histamine produces vasolidation and the engorged vessels are responsible for an increase in skin temperature. The model parameters were determined by fitting the analytical solutions to the spatio-temporal distributions of the differences between measured and baseline temperatures. The model reproduces experimental data very well (coefficient of determination = 0.805÷0.995). The method offers a set of parameters to describe separately skin allergic reaction and skin reactivity. The release of histamine after allergen injection is the best indicator of allergic response. The diagnostic parameter better correlates with the standard evaluation of a skin prick test (correlation coefficient = 0.98) than the result of the thermographic planimetric method based on temperature and heated area determination (0.81). The high sensitivity of the method allows for determination of the allergic response in patients with the reduced skin reactivity.

Allergen sensitization is being diagnosed by commonly available methods in clinical practice-skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific immunoglobulin E test (sIgE). Recently, a new thermographic (TH) method for the assessment of SPT was developed, and it was demonstrated that the TH measurements of forearm temperature distribution during SPT, supported by a mathematical model, offer a new quantification method of allergen-induced skin reactions. The aim of this study is a comprehensive comparison of the TH method with SPT and sIgE techniques. The studies were performed for a group of 51 patients. The SPT and sIgE examinations were done in a routine way. For TH analyses, set of thermograms of both forearms were acquired after prick and analyzed with the use of developed software. All results were converted into categorized scale for comparison. The collected results indicate high correlation coefficients between methods equal to 0.76-0.99. Sensitivity and accuracy of TH assessment in respect of both SPT and sIgE methods is at good level (0.72-0.93). Acceptable level of specificity 0.60-0.88 was also achieved for most allergic responses. Excellent agreement between SPT and sIgE methods was observed which makes the TH assessment competitive. Due to higher precision and sensitivity of digital infrared technology, possibility of making error in diagnosis is significantly reduced. Additional advantage of the TH method relies on an estimation of the skin reactivity which allows highlighting the hypersensitivity patients and automatic correction of the diagnosis.

The determination of three-dimensional (3D) temperature distribution within tissue during thermoablation is necessary to estimate procedure efficiency. The use of a thermo-camera combined with finite element modelling is discussed.The temperature distributions in a metal phantom and an animal tissue sample were simulated. In the real experiment, temperatures were measured around the heating probe by a thermo-resistor set and the temperature distributions on samples' surface were acquired by a thermo-camera. The temperatures measured in the experiment were compared with the simulated ones. The differences between the measured and simulated temperatures were lower than 1.3°C and 3.0°C for a metal phantom and tissue sample, respectively.Good agreement was achieved for homogenous material of well-defined parameters. Higher discrepancies for the tissue sample are due to in-homogeneity and to difficulties with describing tissue thermal properties.The proposed method permits the precise prediction of a 3D temperature distribution in in-vitro studies. Potential application for in-vivo procedures requires further investigations.Key words: finite element model, non-invasive thermometry, three-dimensional temperature distribution, thermo-camera, tissue temperature measurements. 48Grzegorz Taton et al.

Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the absence of an external source. The aim of our study was to investigate with a meta-analytical approach, whether mobile phone (MP) use increases the risk of tinnitus. Eight studies reporting the risk of tinnitus in relation to MP use were identified, and six high-quality studies (two cohort studies, one case-control study, and three cross-sectional ones) were included in the metaanalysis. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The risk of tinnitus was analyzed depending on the exposure to MPs in subgroups according to the study design and method of exposure assessment. Two cohort studies, which assessed the exposure to MPs using network operator data, indicated no significantly increased risk of tinnitus among highly exposed MP users in comparison to lightly exposed individuals (odds ratio [OR]: 1.03 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.15]). Likewise, the self-reported exposure data from two cohorts/case-control and four cross-sectional studies did not find an association between exposure to MPs and tinnitus (OR: 1.20 [95% CI: 0.40-3.61] and OR: 1.73 [95% CI: 0.67-4.49], respectively). Current scientific knowledge, including high-quality studies with a reliable exposure assessment based on network operator data, does not support the hypothesis that MP use is associated with tinnitus. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:105-114.

IntroductionThe skin prick test is still the first and basic procedure in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. The possibility of using a sensitive thermographic method supported by the mathematical model for the assessment of skin test results will be highlighted in the studies.AimTo compare the proposed approach with routine planimetric and thermographic methods.Material and methodsA mathematical model of allergic reaction was developed. Simplifying assumptions of the IgE-mediated skin reaction is the essence of the model. Investigations were performed in a group of 40 patients.ResultsUsing the spatio-temporal evolution of temperature distributions, the ratios of the histamine released from mast cells to the control histamine were determined. The obtained values very well correlate with the standard evaluation of skin prick tests (correlation coefficient = 0.98).ConclusionsThe proposed method of skin test evaluation presents several advantages. The continuous acquisition of data provides the monitoring of time course of the allergic response. The transport of mediator and its concentration were distinctly discriminated, which may be diagnostically useful, especially for abnormal cases. The high sensitivity of the method enables studying patients regardless of age and skin sensitivity.

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