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This work investigated three‐dimensional (3D) focused microwave thermotherapy (FMT) at 925 MHz for a human tissue mimicking phantom using the time reversal (TR) principle for musculoskeletal disorders. We verified the proposed TR algorithm by evaluating the possibility of 3D beam focusing through simulations and experiments. The simulation, along with the electromagnetic and thermal analyses of the human tissue mimicking phantom model, was conducted by employing the Sim4Life commercial tool. Experimental validation was conducted on the developed FMT system using a fabricated human tissue mimicking phantom. A truncated threshold method was proposed to reduce the unwanted hot spots in a normal tissue region, wherein a beam was appropriately focused on a target position. The validation results of the simulation and experiments obtained by utilizing the proposed TR algorithm were shown to be acceptable. Effective beam focusing at the desired position of the phantom could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Three different types of orthodontic adhesive were observed. • Fluorescence color values of the discs differed significantly among the three adhesive products. • The color difference between the adhesive and tooth was greater in fluorescence images than in white-light images. Abstract Introduction This study evaluated the fluorescence of orthodontic adhesives using quantitative light-induced fluorescence–digital (QLF-D) images, and compared differences in the color characteristics of the fluorescence between adhesive and the adjacent tooth with that under white-light illumination in specimens containing residual adhesive of various thicknesses. Methods Disc-shaped adhesive samples and samples comprising adhesive attached to extracted human teeth were prepared using Transbond XT, Blugloo, and Enlight, and they were ground to thicknesses ranging from 800 to 20 μm. Fluorescence and white-light images of the two types of specimens were taken with a QLF-D system. The color parameters for the fluorescence from the discs and the color difference (Δ E) between residual adhesive and the adjacent tooth were quantified in images using the CIE L * a * b * system. Results The fluorescence color values of the discs differed significantly among the three adhesive products (P < 0.05). The Δ E values in fluorescence (Δ E F) and white-light (Δ E W) images for all three adhesives were lower for thinner residual adhesive specimens. The thickness of the adhesive could be perceived over a range of 50–100 μm for fluorescence images and 400–800 μm for white-light images (Δ E > 3.3). Δ E F was significantly larger than Δ E W for all of the residual adhesives, Blugloo specimens thicker than 100 μm, and Transbond XT and Enlight specimens thicker than 50 μm (P < 0.05). Conclusions Detecting and analyzing fluorescence signals can improve the ability to detect residual adhesive on a tooth and also provide thickness information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Our findings could guide clinicians in designing treatments plans. • ΔF (0) cutoff value predicts effects of remineralization after fluoride application. • Our findings contribute substantially to the clinical management of dental caries. • Our findings provide guidelines for assessing interventions to prevent caries. • Our findings could guide clinicians in designing treatment plans. Abstract Purpose Early detection and diagnosis of incipient caries are the keys to achieving a favorable prognosis. Monitoring of pathological changes based on clinical evidence leads to an accurate prognosis. Therefore, this clinical study investigated changes in minerals of incipient carious lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) after applying professional fluoride treatment to children, with improvement of the lesion severity assessed based on the fluorescence loss (ΔF) value obtained using QLF-D. Methods This study examined 90 incipient enamel lesions on the primary teeth of 27 children aged between 4 and 10 years. QLF-D images were obtained before and after the application of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel for 1 min, and the ΔF values at 0 and 4 weeks (ΔF (0) and ΔF (4) , respectively) and the recovery rates (R ΔF) of the lesions were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate the cutoff ΔF (0) value at which recovery of the lesion with fluoride treatment remained feasible. Results and conclusion The recovery patterns of ΔF 4 weeks after fluoride application differed depending on the ΔF (0) values. The incipient lesions with ΔF (0) values of less than –13.00 recovered 4 weeks after fluoride application (P < 0.001) and had an average R ΔF value of 19.27%. The results indicate that a ΔF (0) cutoff value can be determined for predicting the effects of remineralization after fluoride application and quantitative prognostic data can be provided to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Diagnosis of a cracked tooth is difficult because it is caused by diverse factors and its symptoms vary depending on crack depths. • QLF technology is a useful for detection and treatment planning for a cracked tooth. • Based on fluorescence properties with QLF, it is possible to evaluate objectively the progression of a tooth crack in real-time. The aim of this case report was to describe the process of diagnosis and treatment of a cracked tooth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). A 43-year-old male presented at our dental clinic with a complaint of cold pain in #17 tooth. A routine oral examination with radiography was performed for evaluation of the oral condition and treatment planning. Additionally, QLF image capture was performed using Qraycam and Qraypen (AIOBIO, Seoul, Republic of Korea), to collect white-light and fluorescence images. The #17 tooth was observed to have a crack line, showing red fluorescence, from the distal to mesial aspect on the occlusal surface. Even though there was no visible root fracture in the radiographic image, bone loss was observed. Therefore, we performed periodontal treatment. One month later, a root canal treatment was performed because the patient still complained of pain in the #17 tooth. During this treatment, one fluorescent image and one white light image set was captured with the Qraypen. A crack line showing red fluorescence was observed, while the line was not visible to the naked eye. After treatment, the patient has had no complaint related to this tooth for 3 years until today. Clinically, use of QLF confirmed the presence of a crack before and during a root canal treatment. Therefore, it is postulated that the QLF technology could objectively facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of a cracked tooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aims of this study were to compare the intensities of fluorescence emitted by different resin composites as detected using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology, and to compare the fluorescence intensity contrast with the color contrast between a restored composite and the adjacent region of the tooth. Methods Six brands of light-cured resin composites (shade A2) were investigated. The composites were used to prepare composite discs, and fill holes that had been prepared in extracted human teeth. White-light and fluorescence images of all specimens were obtained using a fluorescence camera based on QLF technology (QLF-D) and converted into 8-bit grayscale images. The fluorescence intensity of the discs as well as the fluorescence intensity contrast and the color contrast between the composite restoration and adjacent tooth region were calculated as grayscale levels. Results The grayscale levels for the composite discs differed significantly with the brand ( p < 0.001): DenFil (10.84 ± 0.35, mean ± SD), Filtek Z350 (58.28 ± 1.37), Premisa (156.94 ± 1.58), Grandio (177.20 ± 0.81), Charisma (207.05 ± 0.77), and Gradia direct posterior (211.52 ± 1.66). The difference in grayscale levels between a resin restoration and the adjacent tooth was significantly greater in fluorescence images for each brand than in white-light images, except for the Filtek Z350 ( p < 0.05). However, the Filtek Z350 restoration was distinguishable from the adjacent tooth in a fluorescence image. Conclusions The intensities of fluorescence detected from the resin composites varied. The differences between the composite and adjacent tooth were greater for the fluorescence intensity contrast than for the colors observed in the white-light images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aims of this study were to compare the relationship between red fluorescent plaque (RF plaque) area by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) and disclosed plaque area by two-tone disclosure, and to assess the bacterial composition of the RF plaque by real time-PCR. Methods Fifty healthy subjects were included and 600 facial surfaces of their anterior teeth were examined. QLF-D was taken on two separate occasions (before and after disclosing), and the RF plaque area was calculated based on Plaque Percent Index (PPI). After disclosing, the stained plaque area was analyzed to investigate the relationship with the RF plaque area. The relationship was evaluated using Pearson correlation and paired t -test. Then, the RF and non-red fluorescent (non-RF) plaque samples were obtained from the same subject for real-time PCR test. Total 10 plaque samples were compared the ratio of the 6 of bacteria using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Regarding the paired t -test, the blue-staining plaque area (9.3 ± 9.2) showed significantly similarity with the RF plaque area (9.1 ± 14.9, p = 0.80) at Δ R 20, however, the red-staining plaque area (31.6 ± 20.9) presented difference from the RF plaque area ( p < 0.0001). In addition, bacterial composition of Prevotella intermedia and Streptococcus anginosus was associated with substantially more the RF plaque than the non-RF plaque ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The plaque assessment method using QLF-D has potential to detect mature plaque, and the plaque area was associated with the blue-staining area using two-tone disclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the pathologic, short-term and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic and open complete mesocolic excision (CME) and central ligation for right-sided colon cancer.Methods: All patients (n = 215) underwent elective CME either by open surgery (n = 99) or laparoscopy (n = 116).Results: Mean number of retrieved lymph nodes (31 vs. 27, p = 0.012) was greater in the open CME group. Between the open and laparoscopic CME groups, there were no differences of length of the specimen (44.3 cm and 43.2 cm), ileum (14 cm and 13.3 cm), or colon (30.3 cm and 29.8 cm), respectively. Proximal and distal margins were similar. Mean operative time was similar between the open and laparoscopic CME groups (175 min vs. 178 min). The rate of 30-day postoperative complications (36.4% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.036) was higher in the open CME group. There were no differences in 3-year overall survival rates (86.9% vs. 95.5% in stage II disease and 70.2% vs. 90.7% in stage III disease) or recurrence-free survival rates (84.5% vs. 84.8% in stage II disease and 64.2% vs. 68.9% in stage III disease) between the open and laparoscopic CME groups.Conclusions: Pathologic (specimen lengths, resection margin lengths, number of lymph nodes, and R0 resection) and oncologic outcomes of the laparoscopic CME group were comparable. Moreover, laparoscopic CME conferred short-term benefits in terms of lower rates of postoperative complications, reduced time to soft diet, and reduced length of hospital stay. Based on these results, laparoscopic CME can be considered as a routine elective approach for right-sided colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate validity and reliability of autofluorescence-based plaque quantification (APQ) method. Methods The facial surfaces of 600 sound anterior teeth of 50 subjects were examined. The subjects received dental plaque examination using Turesky modified Quigley Hein plaque index (QHI) and Silness & Löe plaque index (SLI). The autofluorescence images were taken before the plaque examination with Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital, and plaque percent index (PPI) was calculated. Correlation between two existing plaque indices and the PPI of the APQ method was evaluated to find which level of plaque redness on tooth (Δ R ) by the APQ method shows the highest correlation. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis and intra- and inter-examiner reliability tests were performed. Results The PPI Δ R 20 of the APQ method showed a moderate correlation with two existing plaque indices (rho of QHI = 0.48, SLI = 0.51). This methodology fell in the fair category and it had an excellent reliability. The APQ method also showed possibility to detect heavy plaque with fair validity. Conclusions The APQ method demonstrated excellent reliability, and fair validity, compared with 2 conventional indices. The plaque quantification described has the potential to be used in clinical evaluation of oral hygiene procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: To evaluate the impact of anastomotic leakage on oncologic outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. We also evaluated the influence of anastomotic leakage on receipt and commencement time of adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods: A total of 809 consecutive patients undergoing major resection for colorectal cancer were categorized into leak (n = 33, 4.1%) and non-leak (n = 776, 95.9%) groups.Results: The 5-year local recurrence rates of stage II disease were 0.6% and 20.0% for non-leak and leak groups respectively (p = 0.046), and the equivalent rates for stage III disease were 9.1% and 59.4% respectively (p < 0.001). For stage III disease, receipt of adjuvant therapy was lower in the leak group (63% vs. 87%, p = 0.007) and mean time to initiation of chemotherapy was longer in the leak group (52 days vs. 37 days) but this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.080). Older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.8), advanced TNM classification (HR = 3.6), and anastomotic leakage (HR = 8.9) were adverse risk factors for local recurrence based on multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Anastomotic leakage adversely influenced local recurrence rates in stage II and III disease and was an independent risk factor for local recurrence. Additionally, anastomotic leakage contributed to failure to receive adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage III disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate which factors affect selection of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open procedures for patients with stage 0/I colorectal cancer. The short-term and oncologic outcomes of MIS were also compared to those of open procedures. Methods A total of 181 consecutive patients underwent either MIS (laparoscopy: n = 146, robot: n = 8) or open (n = 27) colorectal resection for stage 0/I disease. Results Elderly patients (≥80) were more common in the open procedure group (22.2%) than the MIS (7.8%) group (p = .02). Surgeon A performed more MIS procedures than surgeon B (p = .003). There were no differences in the 30-day complication rate between open (37%) and MIS (21.4%) groups (p = .08). Time to tolerable diet (p = .002) and length of hospital stay (p = .02) were shorter in the MIS group. There were no differences in the cancer-specific survival (p = .71) and recurrence-free survival rates (p = .67) between open and MIS procedures. Conclusions Patient factors (old age) and surgeon factors (surgeon B) were barriers to the choice of MIS. Old age and operating surgeons were not associated with adverse 30-day complications. The short-term and oncologic outcomes of MIS were comparable to those of open procedures. It is safe to expand the indication for MIS to elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of sertindole compared with existing atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia in the South Korean setting. Methods: A Markov model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of sertindole compared with risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine with a cycle of 6 months on a 5-year time horizon. Effectiveness was defined as the length of time without relapse and quality-adjusted life-years. Parameter estimates including drug-induced adverse events, compliance rate, and relapse rate were based on published literature and clinical trial data. Resource utilization data were obtained from the 2010 National Health Insurance reimbursement data, and costs were estimated from the health care system''s perspective. A discount rate of 5% was applied to both cost and effectiveness. One-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were carried out to check the robustness of the base-case analysis. Results: The length of time without relapse was 1.90 years for all study drugs. The estimated quality-adjusted life-years were 1.27 for sertindole, followed by quetiapine, risperidone, and olanzapine. Total costs were 10.51 million Korean won (KRW) for sertindole, 12.86 million KRW for olanzapine, 8.38 million KRW for risperidone, and 8.91 million KRW for quetiapine. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios showed that sertindole was dominant only over olanzapine and was not cost-effective compared with risperidone and quetiapine. Various sensitivity analyses confirmed the results from the base-case analysis. Conclusions: Sertindole may be considered a valuable treatment option for South Korean patients who have failed the therapy with other atypical antipsychotic agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Teeth staining can be caused by some children's drinks. • QLF can quantitatively evaluate the degree of tooth pigmentation. • QLF can be used to investigate changes in tooth pigmentation. Some beverages are known to cause extrinsic staining on the tooth. This study investigated the degree of pigmentation caused by children's acidic beverages, and to confirm the possibility of the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology in assessing staining of the tooth. Bovine tooth specimens were subjected to an 8-day pH-cycling model, using six children's beverages (experimental groups) and a cola (control group), and a remineralizing solution. Before and after the pH-cycling, white-light and fluorescence images of the enamel surface were photographed with a QLF to evaluate color change (ΔE after) and fluorescence loss (ΔF after), respectively. Paired t -test was used to compare the tooth colors obtained before and after the pH-cycling. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlation between the ΔE after and ΔF after values. Median ΔE after values of all the beverages ranged from 1.33 to 20.42, showing the greatest value in Koal-Koal Koala™ (KKK, p < 0.001). The ΔE after was correlated with ΔF after value negatively (ρ=−0.611, p < 0.001). The median ΔF after varied by beverages (−38.86–0.00) and KKK caused the greatest value. The cola and 6 children's beverages showed the possibility for discoloration on the tooth. The QLF technology may enable monitoring the discoloration induced on the tooth surface by acidic beverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as motor neuron disease, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness, respiratory muscle disability, and eventual death. Previous epidemiologic studies have shown no association between cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Colorectal cancer arising in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has rarely been reported. Here, we report a case involving rectal cancer arising in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who subsequently underwent curative laparoscopic surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes the deterioration of respiratory function by compromising expiratory and inspiratory muscles; accordingly, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are at high anesthetic risk, especially with respect to general anesthesia. Careful airway management is essential, and intraoperative neuromuscular monitoring is important. A depolarizing muscle relaxant such as succinylcholine should not be used because of the potential risk of developing hyperkalemia or rhabdomyolysis. Thus, a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant (rocuronium) was used at a low dose in this case. In addition, fentanyl for postoperative patient-controlled analgesia should be used cautiously because fentanyl can cause respiratory muscle rigidity, which may reduce postoperative respiratory function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]