Moringa stenopetala is considered a superfood due to the many bioactive compounds that it provides to the diet. However, like all edible plants, it is mandatory to guarantee food safety. Thus it is necessary to develop analytical methods that can rapidly and accurately determine hazardous pollutants, to evaluate compliance with food regulations. In this regard, two multi-component procedures were developed trying to cover some of the main organic and inorganic potential contaminants. A microwave-assisted digestion followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used for arsenic, cadmium, and lead determination, while a modification of the QuEChERS protocol followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed for the determination of 55 pesticides from different families. Both analytical methods were thoroughly validated according to international guidelines. The analyzed samples obtained from the Uruguayan market showed compliance with both, national and international, food regulations. The holistic approach employed in this research is not commonly presented in the literature, thus constituting a novel way to face food safety.

BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy after microwave ablation (MWA) is more difficult than conventional surgery which increases the probability of postoperative complications due to MWA\'s collateral thermal damage to nearby intestines. Here we report a case of multiple postoperative complications after hysterectomy following MWA.
METHODS: A 44-year-old female was admitted due to progressive abdominal pain during menstruation for 30 years and no relief 1 year after MWA. Hysterectomy was performed. Intraoperative findings: pelvic inflammatory exudation; the uterus and the left adnexa were extensively and densely adhered to the intestine, bladder, pelvic wall and surrounding tissues; the local tissue of the uterus was brittle and dark yellow. Intestinal obstruction, abdominal infection and urinary fistula occurred after hysterectomy.
METHODS: 1. Adenomyosis. 2. Endometrial polyps. 3. Left chocolate cyst of ovary. 4. Pelvic adhesions. 5. Pelvic inflammation.
METHODS: The patient underwent intestinal obstruction catheter implantation, ultrasound-guided pelvic fluid mass puncture drainage, right kidney puncture and fistula drainage, right ureteral bladder replantation, and right ureteral stent implantation.
RESULTS: After 48 days of comprehensive treatment, the patient was cured and discharged.
CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation has a poor therapeutic effect on diffuse adenomyosis, and should avoid excessive ablation during the ablation process.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a lack of convincing evidence for microwave ablation (MWA) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients ≥60 years old with 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma.
METHODS: Patients were divided into three cohorts based on restricted cubic spline analysis: 60-64, 65-72, and ≥73 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline variables in a 1:1 ratio. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed, followed by a comparison of complications, hospitalization, and cost.
RESULTS: Among 672 patients, the median age was 66 (IQR 62-71) years. After PSM, two groups of 210 patients each were selected. During the 36.0 (20.4-52.4) month follow-up period, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates in the MWA group were 97.6, 80.9, and 65.3% and 95.5, 78.7, and 60.4% in the LLR group (HR 0.98, P =0.900). The corresponding DFS rates were 78.6, 49.6, and 37.5% and 82.8, 67.8, and 52.9% (HR 1.52, P =0.007). The 60-64 age cohort involved 176 patients, with no a significant difference in OS between the MWA and LLR groups (HR 1.25, P =0.370), MWA was associated with a higher recurrence rate (HR 1.94, P =0.004). A total of 146 patients were matched in the 65-72 age cohort, with no significant differences in OS and DFS between the two groups (OS (HR 1.04, P =0.900), DFS (HR 1.56, P =0.110)). In 76 patients aged ≥73 years after PSM, MWA provided better OS for patients (HR 0.27, P =0.015), and there were no significant differences in DFS between the two groups (HR 1.41, P =0.380). Taken together, for patients older than 65 years, the recurrence rate of MWA was comparable with LLR. Safety analysis indicated that LLR was associated with more postoperative bleeding ( P =0.032) and hypoproteinemia ( P =0.024).
CONCLUSIONS: MWA was comparable to LLR in patients aged 65 years and older. MWA could be an alternative for the oldest old or the ill patients who cannot afford LLR, while LLR is still the first option of treatments for early-stage 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in capable elderly\'s.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare tumor syndrome, is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, mainly manifested as primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Surgery is preferred for patients with MEN1 and PHPT. Thermal ablation has been widely applied for PHPT but rarely for postoperative recurrent PHPT in MEN1 patients. Based on a series of cases, we aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in the treatment of MEN1 patients with postoperative recurrence of PHPT.

UNASSIGNED: This retrospective, single-center, case-control study evaluated the safety and efficacy of Computed tomography (CT)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for pulmonary nodules located in the right middle lobe (RML), a challenging location associated with a high frequency of complications.
UNASSIGNED: Between May 2020 and April 2022, 71 patients with 71 RML pulmonary nodules underwent 71 MWA sessions. To comparison, 142 patients with 142 pulmonary nodules in non-RML were selected using propensity score matching. The technical success, technique efficacy, complications, and associated factors were analyzed. The duration of the procedure and post-ablation hospital stay were also recorded.
UNASSIGNED: Technical success was achieved in 100% of all patients. There were no significant differences in technique efficacy rates between the RML and non-RML groups (97.2% vs. 95.1%, p = 0.721). However, both major (47.9% vs. 19.7%, p < 0.001) and minor (26.8% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.004) pneumothorax were more common in the RML group than non-RML group. MWA for RML pulmonary nodules was identified as an independent risk factor for pneumothorax (p < 0.001). The duration of procedures (51.7 min vs. 35.3 min, p < 0.001) and post-ablation hospital stays (4.7 days vs. 2.8 days, p < 0.001) were longer in the RML group than non-RML group.
UNASSIGNED: CT-guided MWA for RML pulmonary nodules showed comparable efficacy compared with other lobes, but posed a higher risk of pneumothorax complications, necessitating longer MWA procedure times and extended hospital stays.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder polyps are a general term for localized lesions in which the gallbladder wall protrudes into the gallbladder cavity, and benign lesions are common. Although current guidelines recommend cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps ≥ 10 mm in size, the probability of finding cancer in postoperative pathological specimens is low. We should avoid unnecessary cholecystectomy and treat polyps with gallbladder preservation. Microwave ablation is safe and effective for the treatment of solid lesions, and can inactivates polyps while preserving gallbladder. Hence, we report a case of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of gallbladder polyps.
METHODS: A 72-year-old female patient had previously diagnosed a gallbladder polyp, but it was not taken seriously. Recently, the patient had occasional right upper abdominal discomfort and a desire to preserve gallbladder.
METHODS: Ultrasound showed a medium hyperechoic papillary protrusion in the gallbladder without echo behind, and the changed position did not move. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) showed no malignant signs. The diagnosis was a gallbladder polyp.
METHODS: The bile is drained and the drainage tube is fixed under real-time ultrasound guidance, then the gallbladder cavity is flushed and filled. Saline was injected between the serous and mucosal layers of the gallbladder to form an \"edema band\" to protect the gallbladder wall. Then, ultrasound-guided biopsy of gallbladder polyps was performed and sent for histological examination. Finally, the microwave needle was inserted into the target area under real-time ultrasonic guidance, and ablation was performed for 3 minutes (20 W). Postoperative CEUS: No significant enhancement was observed in the lesion.
RESULTS: Within 6 months of follow-up, the patient\'s gallbladder systolic function was normal, and there was no discomfort and no recurrence. The lesion reduction rate reached 100% at 1 week after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided percutaneous microwave ablation of gallbladder polyps not only preserves the gallbladder but also inactivates the polyps without affecting the systolic function of the gallbladder, which provides a new idea for the treatment of gallbladder polyps.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited endocrine syndrome caused by the mutation in the tumor suppressor gene MEN1. The recurrence rate of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in patients with MEN1 after parathyroidectomy remains high, and the management of recurrent hyperparathyroidism is still challenging.
We reported a 44-year-old woman with MEN1 combined with PHPT who was diagnosed through genetic screening of the patient and her family members. After parathyroidectomy to remove one parathyroid gland, the patient suffered from persistent high levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone, which returned to normal at up to 8 months after ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for bilateral parathyroid glands, suggesting an acceptable short-term prognosis.
Ultrasound-guided MWA for parathyroid nodules may be an effective therapeutic strategy for recurrent PHPT in MEN1 patients.

To compare the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) alone and microwave ablation (MWA) combined with PVP for the treatment of painful spinal metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
From October 2014 to October 2021, the data of 58 NSCLC patients with refractory painful spinal metastases (visual analog scale score ≥ 5) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients in Group A (n = 30) and Group B (n = 28) received PVP alone and MWA combined with PVP, respectively. The primary endpoint was pain relief. The secondary endpoints were quality of life (QoL), local tumor progression (LTP), and complications.
The technical success rate was 100% in both groups. Patients in both groups showed similar pain relief at 1-12 weeks, but patients in Group B still showed sustained pain relief at 24 weeks compared to those in Group A (p = 0.03). The assessment of QoL showed similar changes. LTP (33.00% vs. 7.14%, p = 0.02) and cement leakage rates (40.00% vs. 7.14%, p = 0.03) were lower in Group B. The multivariate analysis demonstrated spinal metastases with a maximum diameter ≤ 3.0 cm (p = 0.027) and MWA combined with PVP (p = 0.028) were two independent protective factors for LTP. For cement leakage, spinal metastases with vertebral body compression (p = 0.019) was an independent risk factor, while MWA combined with PVP (p = 0.042) was an independent protective factor.
MWA combined with PVP for painful spinal metastases from NSCLC performed more sustained pain relief (>6 months) and ultimately improved QoL with lower LTP and cement leakage rates, compared to PVP alone.

OBJECTIVE: A previous small-sample study verified that a blunt-tip antenna reduced hemorrhage during microwave ablation. We conducted this large-sample, multicenter, case-control study to further verify the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation with a blunt-tip antenna for ground-glass nodules.
METHODS: Patients with pulmonary ground-glass nodules were treated with either a sharp-tip (Group A) or blunt-tip antenna (Group B). A total of 147 and 150 patients were retrospectively allocated to Groups A and Group B, respectively. Group A patients underwent 151 procedures, and Group B patients underwent 153 procedures. We assessed the technical success, technique efficacy, and complications.
RESULTS: Technical success and overall technique efficacy were achieved in all patients (100%). Major complications of pneumothorax were more commonly observed in Group A than in Group B (19.7% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001). Minor complications, such as intrapulmonary hemorrhage (2.0% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.005) and hemothorax (0.0% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.049), occurred less frequently in Group B compared to Group A.
CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of ground-glass nodules, microwave ablation with a blunt-tip antenna had equal efficacy compared to microwave ablation with a sharp-tip antenna but had a decreased number of hemorrhage and hemothorax complications.

Microwave body tightening and contouring is a common and efficient cosmetic medical procedure. The current study presents preliminary data about microwave treatment for body contouring where an innovative and unexpected benefit on frostbites was shown. This is a case series on two patients with frostbite treated with microwave therapy. The participants received the treatment for five sessions at 20-day intervals, including the beginning of the study. In addition to being satisfied with the treatment of their skin imperfections, the patients noticed a remarkable and progressive improvement in frostbite on their limbs. Both patients experienced a significant improvement in skin sensation and appearance and no side effects were observed. Our findings confirmed the safety and efficacy of microwave therapy in treating cellulite and skin laxity but rather a positively effect and a significant improvement in the treatment of frostbite as a secondary intention.