During the last decade, researchers have made great progress in the development of new image processing technologies for gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, diagnosis using conventional endoscopy with white light optical imaging is essentially limited, and ultimately, we still rely on the histopathological diagnosis from biopsy specimens. Molecular imaging represents the most novel imaging methods in medicine, and the future of endoscopic diagnosis is likely to be impacted by a combination of biomarkers and technology. Endoscopic molecular imaging can be defined as the visualization of molecular characteristics with endoscopy. These innovations will allow us not only to locate a tumor or dysplastic lesion but also to visualize its molecular characteristics and the activity of specific molecules and biological processes that affect tumor behavior and/or its response to therapy. In the near future, these promising technologies will play a central role in endoluminal oncology.
Biological Processes ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Methods ; Molecular Imaging* ; Optical Imaging ; Biomarkers

Background: While cementless short stems have become popular in total hip arthroplasty (THA), Metha is a relatively recent development that differs from other short stems in its initial fixation concept of partial collum-sparing metaphyseal anchorage. The purpose of this study was to quantify the contact state between Metha and the femur. Additionally, we investigated the difference in contact points between Meta and Fitmore, which is one of the more popular curved short stems. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 42 hips that underwent THA using Metha and 41 hips using Fitmore. Stemto-femur contact was evaluated by density mapping using a three-dimensional digital template system to quantify the contact condition according to the modified Gruen zone. The criterion for the stem-to-bone contact boundary was defined as a computed tomography value of 543 Hounsfield. Results: Quantitative evaluation of Metha according to the modified Gruen zones showed the ratio of surface area with high cortical contact in each zone. The results were 4.6% ± 5.7% in zone 1, 0.9% ± 2.3% in zone 2, 19.1% ± 12.9% in zone 3, 1.4% ± 3.2% in zone 5, 29.6% ± 16.4% in zone 6, and 25.1% ± 17.7% in zones 7. Evaluation of Fitmore for the same zones was as follows: 1.6% ± 2.4%, 18.5% ± 16.9%, 20.8% ± 17.4%, 12.7% ± 12.8%, 3.7% ± 5.8%, and 13.3% ± 10.3%. Comparing the two groups, the contact area was significantly greater for Metha in zones 1, 6 and 7 and Fitmore in zones 2 and 5 (p < 0.05). Conclusions It is possible for Metha to achieve metaphyseal anchoring by contacting the cortical bone at the proximal femur, thus avoiding proximal offloading. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have quantitatively reported stem-to-cortical bone contact conditions in curved short stems.