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Simple Summary Next-generation sequencing (NGS) with specimens obtained through endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been used to identify cancer-related genes among patients with lung cancer. However, the reported success rates vary, and the clinical factors associated with successful NGS remain unclear. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent EBUS-TBNA for NGS (OncomineTM Dx Target Test). The numbers of punctures and core tissues, as well as computed tomography (CT) and EBUS findings, were evaluated. The success rate of NGS was 83.3% (130/156). The cut-off value for the number of core tissues was 4, and the sensitivity and specificity for successful NGS were 73.8% and 61.5%, respectively. CT and EBUS findings were not associated with successful NGS. In logistic regression analysis, the number of core tissues (≥4) was the sole predictor of successful NGS. Bronchoscopists should obtain sufficient core tissues for successful NGS using EBUS-TBNA specimens. Abstract The success rate of next-generation sequencing (NGS) with specimens obtained through endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) among patients with lung cancer as well as the related clinical factors remain unclear. We aimed to determine the optimal number of punctures and core tissues during EBUS-TBNA for NGS in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the association of chest computed tomography (CT) and EBUS findings with successful NGS. We retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent EBUS-TBNA for NGS (OncomineTM Dx Target Test). Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, we calculated the optimal numbers of punctures and core tissues for NGS and evaluated CT and EBUS findings suggestive of necrosis and vascular pattern within the lesion. The success rate of NGS was 83.3%. The cut-off value for the number of core tissues was 4, and the sensitivity and specificity of successful NGS were 73.8% and 61.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of core tissues (≥4) was the sole predictor of successful NGS. CT and EBUS findings were not associated with successful NGS. Bronchoscopists should obtain sufficient core tissues for successful NGS using EBUS-TBNA specimens.

Background: Several factors have been reported to affect the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy with radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). However, it is difficult to accurately predict the diagnostic potential of bronchoscopy for each PPL in advance. Objectives: Our objective was to establish a predictive model to evaluate the diagnostic yield before the procedure. Method: We retrospectively analysed consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy with R-EBUS between April 2012 and October 2015. We assessed the factors that were predictive of successful bronchoscopic diagnosis of PPLs with R-EBUS using a multivariable logistic regression model. The accuracy of the predictive model was evaluated using the receiver operator characteristic area under the curve (ROC AUC). Internal validation was analysed using 10-fold stratified cross-validation. Results: We analysed a total of 1,634 lesions; the median lesion size was 25.0 mm. Of these, 1,138 lesions (69.6%) were successfully diagnosed. In the predictive logistic model, significant factors affecting the diagnostic yield were lesion size, lesion structure, bronchus sign, and visible on chest X-ray. The predictive model consisted of seven factors: lesion size, lesion lobe, lesion location from the hilum, lesion structure, bronchus sign, visibility on chest X-ray, and background lung. The ROC AUC of the predictive model was 0.742 (95% confidence interval: 0.715–0.769). Internal validation using 10-fold stratified cross-validation revealed a mean ROC AUC of 0.734. Conclusions: The predictive model using the seven factors revealed a good performance in estimating the diagnostic yield.

Boiogito (BO), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, has been proven to be clinically effective against knee osteoarthritis (KOA)-associated pain. However, the therapeutic mechanism of BO remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the analgesic mechanism of BO using a rat KOA model. KOA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Rats were allocated into the following four groups: control, sham, DMM, and DMM + BO groups. Rotarod test was performed to evaluate the pain-related locomotive dysfunction. Expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (pERK1/2) in the spinal dorsal horn was examined using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting on days 1 and 28 after DMM surgery. A mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, U0126, was intrathecally injected and rotarod test and Western blotting were performed. The rotarod test revealed hampered locomotive function in the DMM group, which was significantly improved upon BO administration. The number of pERK1/2-positive cells was increased in the DMM group, whereas it was significantly decreased in the DMM + BO group. U0126 significantly inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased walking time in the rotarod test, suggesting that the DMM-related pain was associated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the spinal dorsal horn. In conclusion, BO administration improved the pain-related locomotive dysfunction by suppressing ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is recommended for lymph node (LN) staging in lung cancer. Although 22-gauge needles are widely used, they may make some stations difficult to puncture owing to an acute angle. A thinner 25-gauge needle was introduced in Japan at the end of 2016 and offered structural advantages such as improved flexibility and penetrability. We aimed to validate the clinical utility of the 25-gauge needle in LN staging. Methods Patients who underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for LN staging of lung cancer using the 25-gauge needle at our institution between November 2016 and March 2019 were included. Patient characteristics, staging procedures, pathology findings, and genetic testing success rates were assessed. Results Data of 130 patients were included in the analysis. The sampling rate was 87.6% (589/672 lesions). In addition to stations #4R, #7, and #11, which are generally easy to puncture, multiple stations (40.1%) were sampled. The diagnostic accuracy of combined computed tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was 82.3% and that of additional endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was 96.9%. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values validated using resected specimens were 97.1% (34/35), 100% (41/41), 100% (34/34), and 97.6% (41/42), respectively. The success rate of genetic testing was 100% (34/34). Conclusions The new 25-gauge needle enabled us to approach a wide range of LNs with a desirable sampling rate and diagnostic accuracy in LN staging using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, while providing enough tissue for genetic testing.

Anomalies of water have been explained by the two-state water model. In the model, water becomes one state upon supercooling. However, water crystallizes completely below 235 K ("no man's land"). The structural origin of the anomalous of the water is hidden in the "no man's land". To understand the properties of water, the spectroscopic experiment in "Norman's land" is inevitable. Hence, we proposed a new soft-confinement method for standard nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to explore the "no man's land". We found the singularity temperature (215 K) at ambient pressure. Water exists in one state below 215 K. Above 215 K, the two states of water are supercritical states of the liquid-liquid critical point. The current study provides a perspective to determine the liquid-liquid critical point of water existing in a high-pressure condition.

BACKGROUND Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is rarely an asbestos-related cancer with a poor prognosis that is difficult to distinguish from some benign conditions by using conventional biopsy techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a novel biopsy technique using a cryoprobe during flex-rigid pleuroscopy for diagnosing MPM. METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent pleural cryobiopsy during flex-rigid pleuroscopy from June through November 2017 to diagnose the cause of pleural effusion were collected. From these, cases ultimately diagnosed as MPM were selected. Pleural biopsies were performed by using conventional instruments followed by a cryoprobe. The obtained samples were histologically examined and compared with regard to the quality (sample size, tissue depth, and crush rate), immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and p16 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS In total, five patients ultimately diagnosed as MPM were enrolled. The sample collected was significantly larger for cryobiopsy than conventional biopsy (18.9 mm2 vs. 6.7 mm2, P < 0.001). Full-thickness biopsies were achieved in four cases by using cryobiopsy compared with one case by conventional biopsy. Moreover, the crush rate was significantly less for cryobiopsy than conventional biopsy (9% vs. 35%, P < 0.001). The results of IHC staining and p16 by FISH were similar between biopsy techniques. Cryobiopsy successfully led to accurate diagnosis of MPM in all cases, whereas conventional biopsy was diagnostic in one case. No severe complications developed after either biopsy technique. CONCLUSION Cryobiopsy during flex-rigid pleuroscopy is a feasible and convenient biopsy technique that supports precise diagnosis of MPM.

In this study, we investigated the physical factors required to accurately reproduce the Milky Way in star fields in a planetarium using three evaluation indices: faithfulness, preference, and depth feeling. Psychometric experiments were conducted by manipulating three different physical factors (transmittance, representation size and star density) of the stars projected on a dome screen as experimental stimuli. The three evaluation indices were rated by observers for 12 different reproductions of the Milky Way. By analyzing the experimental results, we developed a common model to estimate the scores for each evaluation index by changing the coefficients of the three physical factors. Our proposed model has good accuracy, and each evaluation index can be represented by transmittance, representation size and star density. The weighting values indicate that density reproduction was the pivotal factor for the majority of observers. In contrast, the observers were not affected by the size of the stars in the projected Milky Way.

Orthodontic wires are made of alloys containing different metals, including nickel. It is important to evaluate their biocompatibility prior to use, owing to their long-term use in patients. This in vitro study compared the cytotoxicity and chemical composition of six latest orthodontic wires: Fantasia®, Tanzo®, FLI®, NT3®, DuoForce®, and Gummetal®. The before-use group consisted of wires that were not used in the mouth, and the after-use group consisted of wires that were used in the mouth for two months. The wires were placed in contact with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) for 72 h, and cytotoxicity was determined using the resazurin test. The chemical composition and surface characterisation were evaluated by spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The groups were compared using ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test. Only the FLI® wires produced a 36% reduction in HGF viability ( p < 0.05 ) and presented greater irregularities and loss of polymer structure. After-use wires showed a significant reduction in the percentage of nickel and the appearance of new elements (oxygen and carbon). Therefore, it can be concluded that no toxic ion release was noticed in this study. Rhodium-coated wires were more stable than PTFE-coated wires, and only the FLI® wires showed a slight cytotoxic effect.

Background The Oncomine™ Dx Target Test based on next-generation sequencing has been approved for the screening of oncogenic mutations in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Methods We assessed the tissue sample factors that affect the success rate of Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics and the feasibility of using biopsy specimens for Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Results Ninety-nine biopsy samples were subjected to genetic testing using the Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics to detect v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1 mutations (Cohort 1), and 136 biopsy samples were examined using Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics for the detection of multiple oncogenic mutations (Cohort 2) between July 2018 and April 2020. We retrospectively collected clinical and pathological data, including tissue size and tumour cell content. The success rate was 77% (76/99) in Cohort 1 and 93% (127/136) in Cohort 2. In Cohort 1, the success rate was significantly associated with the tumour cell content: the success rate was 63% for samples with a tumour cell content of Conclusions Tissue size and tumour cell content were significantly associated with the success rate of Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics.

At the beginning of this century, intrinsically photoreceptive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), new photoreceptors different from cones and rods, were discovered. The aim of this study was to experimentally verify the influence of ipRGCs on the colour reproduction of a display. In the experiment, we performed perceptual colour matching between colour patches and displays. Although colorimetric reproduction of the colour patch was used for the initial image of the display, the colour matching results were largely out of colorimetric colour reproduction. Since this result suggests that ipRGCs may affect colour reproduction of displays, a correction equation that accounts for the influence of ipRGCs was derived. Applying this correction formula improved the results. It is considered possible to accurately display the colour of a real object on a display using a correction equation that accounts for the effect of ipRGCs.

Background Patients treated for non-squamous (non-Sq) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often require repeat biopsies to determine the optimal subsequent treatment. However, the differences between rebiopsy and initial biopsy in terms of their diagnostic yields and their ability to test the molecular profiles using bronchoscopy with radial endobronchial ultrasound guidance in patients with advanced NSCLC remain unclear. Hence, we aimed to compare the diagnostic yields and ability for molecular analyses of rebiopsies with those of initial biopsies. Methods We investigated 301 patients with advanced non-Sq NSCLC who underwent radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) between August 2014 and July 2017. Patients were divided into the rebiopsy and initial biopsy groups: the latter referred to the biopsy that determined the definitive diagnosis. The diagnostic yields and ability for molecular analyses were compared between the two groups, and the factors affecting the TBB diagnostic yield were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The diagnostic yields of the rebiopsy and initial biopsy groups were comparable (86.8 and 90.8%, respectively; p = 0.287). Furthermore, 93.0 and 94.0% of the patients in the rebiopsy and initial biopsy groups, respectively, had adequate specimens for gene profiling and mutational analysis (p = 0.765). The factors that increased the diagnostic yield were a positive bronchus sign (p p = 0.026). Conclusions The PPL diagnostic yield of the rebiopsy group was as high as that of the initial biopsy group. Hence, TBB for PPLs is feasible for patients requiring rebiopsy as well as for those with initial diagnoses. Adequate, high-quality biopsy specimens can be obtained by transbronchial rebiopsy for molecular testing.

Cryobiopsy enables specialists to perform high-quality, large, entirely circumferential biopsies; therefore, it may improve the diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), as has been previously observed regarding endobronchial tumors and interstitial lung diseases.How do the diagnostic accuracy and safety change by cryobiopsy when performed alongside conventional biopsy for PPLs?Consecutive patients who underwent cryobiopsy in addition to conventional biopsies for PPL diagnosis at our institution between June 2017 and May 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The target location was estimated and sampling was performed using conventional devices (ie, forceps, brush, aspiration needle), and cryobiopsy was performed at the same location. Diagnostic outcomes and cryobiopsy safety when performed in addition to conventional sampling methods were analyzed in this observational study.In total, 257 patients were analyzed, and the overall diagnostic yield was 89.9%. Among them, 22 lesions were diagnosable by cryobiopsy exclusively, which improved the rate of diagnosis by 8.6%. Advantages of the use of cryobiopsy were the most apparent when lesions were adjacent to areas assessed via radial endobronchial ultrasound (69.4% vs 84.3%). Multivariable analysis identified bronchus sign (positive/negative, P = .001), lobe (other lobes/right upper lobe and left upper segment, P = .028), and visibility on radiograph (visible/invisible, P = .047) as factors that significantly affected diagnostic yield. On the other hand, three instances of severe hemorrhage (1.2%) and two of pneumothorax (0.8%) occurred. Although most complications were minor, two patients required hospitalization because of cerebral infarction and lung abscess.Cryobiopsy improves the diagnostic yield of PPLs when combined with other conventional sampling methods; however, caution is required because of the possibility of complications.

Introduction Several studies have demonstrated that non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLCs) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have poor clinical outcomes in response to treatment with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors. However, it remains unclear whether EGFR-mutated NSCLCs with a high programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression (tumor proportion score ≥ 50%) respond to PD-1 inhibitors. Methods We retrospectively investigated the NSCLCs who had received PD-1 inhibitors between January 2016 and December 2018 to assess the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with an EGFR mutation and high PD-L1 expression. Results There were 153 patients with a high PD-L1 expression level, and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 5.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–12.4 months] in the patients with EGFR mutations (n = 17) and 8.3 months (95% CI 6.0–11.7 months) in those with wild-type EGFR (n = 136; hazard ratio (HR) 1.62; 95% CI 0.83–2.87). Among the 110 patients in the low PD-L1 expression group, the mPFS was 1.6 months (95% CI 1.3–5.9 months) in the patients with EGFR mutations (n = 18) and 3.8 months (95% CI 2.5–5.9 months) in those with wild-type EGFR (n = 92; HR 2.59; 95% CI 1.48–4.31). The HR for PFS in the group with EGFR mutations and high PD-L1 expression was 0.97 (95% CI 0.56–1.59) compared to the group with wild-type EGFR and low PD-L1 expression. Conclusions PD-1 inhibitors can serve as one of the treatment options for NSCLCs with an EGFR mutation and high PD-L1 expression.

A minimally invasive thoracic intervention, such as local anaesthetic thoracoscopy, can be used to collect the samples in malignant pleural lesions. But cancerous pleurisy without pleural effusion, called dry pleural dissemination, is considered difficult to perform thoracoscopy from concerns about pleural injury. We present a diagnosed case of dry pleural dissemination safely sampled using cryobiopsy using flex‐rigid thoracoscope under local anaesthesia., A diagnosed case of primary non–small‐cell carcinoma in an 85‐year‐old female with dry pleural dissemination with low fluoro‐deoxyglucose uptake. Metastatic carcinomatous pleuritis was subsequently confirmed with the aide of pleural cryobiopsy. Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy with pleural cryobiopsy can be safely performed even without effusion with the aide of real‐time transthoracic ultrasound.

BACKGROUND The Oncomine™ Dx Target Test based on next-generation sequencing has been approved for the screening of oncogenic mutations in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. METHODS We assessed the tissue sample factors that affect the success rate of Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics and the feasibility of using biopsy specimens for Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. RESULTS Ninety-nine biopsy samples were subjected to genetic testing using the Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics to detect v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1 mutations (Cohort 1), and 136 biopsy samples were examined using Oncomine™ Dx Target Test companion diagnostics for the detection of multiple oncogenic mutations (Cohort 2) between July 2018 and April 2020. We retrospectively collected clinical and pathological data, including tissue size and tumour cell content. The success rate was 77% (76/99) in Cohort 1 and 93% (127/136) in Cohort 2. In Cohort 1, the success rate was significantly associated with the tumour cell content: the success rate was 63% for samples with a tumour cell content of

In visual design, harmony refers to the similarity among objects and the components of these objects that appear as if they belong together. Harmony is related to the body, mind, and emotions as we relate to our living space, which means that the harmony of real objects is an important characteristic. Although the appearance harmony in specific materials has been investigated, harmony among different materials has not received adequate attention. In a previous study, we investigated the appearance harmony among various materials by psychophysical experiments. In this study, we correlated the psychophysical evaluations obtained from the experiments and the physical properties of the materials. By analyzing the relationship between psychophysical evaluations and the physical measurements for each material pairs based on cluster analysis, we found that the property of texture represented by the anisotropy histogram and that of reflectance obtained from the data of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function are important indices that can be used to judge the harmony of materials. In particular, the texture properties were more effective in judging the appearance harmony of material pairs in the fixed condition for illumination and viewing angles, and the reflectance properties were superior for the material pairs in the variable condition for illumination and viewing angles.

Gold gives a unique luxurious impression and therefore golden objects are often desired. Since gold is an expensive metal, due to its rarity, it is not feasible to produce objects made of gold at reasonable prices. In this study, we have developed a simple representation method that makes real objects appear to be made of gold using projection mapping technology. In recent years, this technology has been extensively explored, mainly in the field of entertainment. Most of these studies were focused on technologies where a target image was superimposed onto an object. Our method, unlike the conventional approach, does not project a target gold image but simply projects a solid color onto an object, thereby giving the perception that the object is made of gold. We have conducted two psychophysical experiments to substantiate our representation method, using stimuli having the same color. Our results indicate that objects were more easily perceived as golden objects when a solid color was projected onto black objects rather than white objects. Furthermore, a few samples were perceived as metals, even though they were actually paper or fabric. These results suggest that when superimposing a solid color onto an object, a change in material type is perceived along with the change of its color. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between psychophysical evaluations on the perception of projected gold objects and the physical properties of the materials. The results show that the average and the standard deviation of reflectance generated by black objects can be considered factors that affect the perception of a gold-like color. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 42, 522–530, 2017

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) combined with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is extremely rare, and standard chemotherapeutic strategies have not yet been established. In the present study, we report a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with combined SCLC with EGFR mutation (exon 19 deletion). Systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan was initiated as first-line chemotherapy, and computed tomography findings revealed tumor shrinkage after two cycles of chemotherapy. However, after the third cycle of the treatment, disease progression was observed including the appearance of pleural and pericardial effusion. Cytologic examination of pleural and pericardial effusion revealed adenocarcinoma and no characteristics of SCLC, and an EGFR mutation was detected, in line with the initial diagnosis. Afatinib was then administered as second-line chemotherapy, which resulted in a partial response that lasted for 6 months. Re-biopsy after resistance to first-line chemotherapy suggested that the adenocarcinoma component harboring the EGFR mutation became dominant in association with disease progression, and afatinib provided clinical efficacy as second-line chemotherapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the cost differences between magnetic resonance-guided focussed ultrasound (MRgFUS) and unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of medication-refractory essential tremor (ET) in Japan using a cost-minimisation model.MethodsA cost-minimisation model estimated total costs for MRgFUS and unilateral DBS by summing the pre-procedure, procedure, and post-procedure costs over a 12-month time horizon, using data from published sources and expert clinical opinion. The model base case considered medical costs from fee-for-service tariffs. Scenario analyses investigated the use of Diagnosis Procedure Combination tariffs, a diagnosis-related group-based fixed-payment system, and the addition of healthcare professional labour costs healthcare professionals using tariffs from the Japanese Health Insurance Federation for Surgery. One-way sensitivity analyses altered costs associated with tremor recurrence after MRgFUS, the extraction rate following unilateral DBS, the length of hospitalisation for unilateral DBS and the procedure duration for MRgFUS. The impact of uncertainty in model parameters on the model results was further explored using probabilistic sensitivity analysis.ResultsCompared to unilateral DBS, MRgFUS was cost saving in the base case and Diagnosis Procedure Combination cost scenario, with total savings of JPY400,380 and JPY414,691, respectively. The majority of savings were accrued at the procedural stage. Including labour costs further increased the cost differences between MRgFUS and unilateral DBS. Cost savings were maintained in each sensitivity analysis and the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, demonstrating that the model results are highly robust.ConclusionsIn the Japanese healthcare setting, MRgFUS could be a cost saving option versus unilateral DBS for treating medication-refractory ET. The model results may even be conservative, as the cost of multiple follow-ups for unilateral DBS and treatment costs for adverse events associated with each procedure were not included. This model is also consistent with the results of other economic analyses of MRgFUS versus DBS in various settings worldwide.

Introducción: el objetivo del presente estudio consistió en describir el patrón de desgaste oclusal asociado al bruxismo del sueño en adolescentes de 12 a 17 años con dentición permanente completa, según la clasificación molar de Angle (CMA). Métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Previo consentimiento informado, se evaluaron 45 adolescentes agrupados según clasificación molar de Angle I, II y III. Se realizó el formato clínico y se tomó la impresión del arco superior en alginato, obteniendo modelos en yeso tipo III (Orthoprofessional Dental, Colombia) para realizar termomoldeado de dos placas de bruxchecker® (Biostar, Scheu Dental Technology, Germany) y dando instrucciones de uso al paciente. Por medio de inspección visual, el experto determinó el patrón oclusal de acuerdo a los desgastes dentales generados durante la dinámica mandibular en sueño, teniendo en cuenta la localización y la extensión de las marcaciones por sustracción de tinta roja en el bruxchecker®. Resultados: la distribución total de la muestra (n = 45) reportó una mayor frecuencia de dos patrones oclusales: función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB: 35,6%) y función de grupo con áreas de contacto en balance (FG + ACB: 24,4%). Conclusiones: la distribución de patrones de desgaste oclusal para CMA I mostró predominancia de guía canina con áreas de contacto en balance (GC + ACB) y guía canina con puntos de contacto en balance (GC + PCB) en un 53,3%. En CMA II, el patrón predominante (con 80%) fue función de grupo con áreas (FG + ACB) y función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB). En CMA III, el patrón predominante (con 60%) fue función de grupo con áreas (FG + ACB) y función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB).

Introduction: the aim of this study was to describe the sleep bruxism-related occlusal wear pattern in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with full permanent dentition, according to Angle’s molar classification (AMC). Methods: descriptive study. Prior informed consent, 45 adolescents grouped into Angle I, II, and III molar classification were evaluated. The clinical form was filled out and an alginate impression of the upper arch was obtained and poured with type III plaster (Orthoprofessional Dental, Colombia), thermomoulding two Bruxchecker® mouthguards which were provided to the patients with instructions for use (Biostar, Scheu Dental Technology, Germany). Through visual examination, a practitioner determined occlusal pattern according to the dental wear produced during mandibular dynamics in sleep, taking into account the location and extension of the markings by reduced red ink in the Bruxchecker®. Results: the total distribution of the sample (n = 45) yielded a higher frequency of two occlusal patterns: group function with balanced contact points (GF + BCP: 35.6%) and group function with balanced contact areas (GF + BCA: 24.4%). Conclusions: the distribution of occlusal wear patterns in AMC I showed predominance of canine guidance with balanced contact areas (CG + BCA) and canine guidance with balanced contact points (CG + BCP) in 53.3%. In AMC II, the predominant patterns (with 80%) were group function with balanced contact areas (GF + BCA) and group function with balanced contact points (GF + BCP). In AMC III, the predominant patterns (with 60%) were group function with balanced contact areas (GF + BCA) and group function with balanced contact points (GF + BCP). RESUMEN Introducción: el objetivo del presente estudio consistió en describir el patrón de desgaste oclusal asociado al bruxismo del sueño en adolescentes de 12 a 17 años con dentición permanente completa, según la clasificación molar de Angle (CMA). Métodos: estudio descriptivo. Previo consentimiento informado, se evaluaron 45 adolescentes agrupados según clasificación molar de Angle I, II y III. Se realizó el formato clínico y se tomó la impresión del arco superior en alginato, obteniendo modelos en yeso tipo III (Orthoprofessional Dental, Colombia) para realizar termomoldeado de dos placas de bruxchecker® (Biostar, Scheu Dental Technology, Germany) y dando instrucciones de uso al paciente. Por medio de inspección visual, el experto determinó el patrón oclusal de acuerdo a los desgastes dentales generados durante la dinámica mandibular en sueño, teniendo en cuenta la localización y la extensión de las marcaciones por sustracción de tinta roja en el Bruxchecker®. Resultados: la distribución total de la muestra (n = 45) reportó una mayor frecuencia de dos patrones oclusales: función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB: 35,6%) y función de grupo con áreas de contacto en balance (FG + ACB: 24,4%). Conclusiones: la distribución de patrones de desgaste oclusal para CMA I mostró predominancia de guía canina con áreas de contacto en balance (GC + ACB) y guía canina con puntos de contacto en balance (GC + PCB) en un 53,3%. En CMA II, el patrón predominante (con 80%) fue función de grupo con áreas (FG + ACB) y función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB). En CMA III, el patrón predominante (con 60%) fue función de grupo con áreas (FG + ACB) y función de grupo con puntos de contacto en balance (FG + PCB).

Cardiovascular reactivity to the cold pressor test (CPT) is considered to be a marker for apparent and potential hypertension. We aimed to elucidate the association between the changes in wave intensity (WI) during CPT and hypertension. We recruited 85 volunteers, 33 of whom were hypertensive and 52 normotensive. Using ultrasonic equipment during CPT, we measured carotid arterial WI, which is defined in terms of blood pressure and velocity in the carotid artery. The peak WI (W1) increased during CPT in 70.6% of hypertensive individuals, but decreased in 72.6% of normotensive individuals. The chi-square (χ2) test showed that the association between the direction of change in W1 (increase or decrease) and the blood pressure (hypertensive or normotensive) was very strong (P

We experimentally studied three types of group-IV-semiconductor quantum-dots (IV-QDs) of Si-, SiC-, and C-QDs in a thermal SiO2 layer that were fabricated using a very simple hot-ion implantation technique for Si+, double Si+/C+, and C+ into the SiO2 layer, respectively, to realize a different wavelength photoluminescence (PL) emission from near-IR to near-UV ranges. TEM analyses newly confirmed both Si- and C-QDs with a diameter of approximately 2–4 nm in addition to SiC-QDs in SiO2. We successfully demonstrated very strong PL emission from three IV-QDs, and the peak photon energies (E PH) (peak PL-wavelength) of Si-, and SiC-, and C-QDs were approximately 1.56 eV (800 nm), 2.5 eV (500 nm), and 3.3 eV (380 nm), respectively. IV-QDs showed that the PL properties strongly depend on the hot-ion doses of Si and C atoms and the post N2 annealing processes. Consequently, it is easy to design peak PL wavelengths by controlling the ion doses of Si+ and C+ implanted into the SiO2 layer.

For precision medicine, it is required to obtain enough amount high-quality tumor tissue. Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBC) has emerged as a new method in non-neoplastic lung disease that has better morphological assessment potential. However, it has not been examined yet how the cryobiopsy influences the quality of the specimen, especially of protein. We performed the comparative IHC study between cryobiopsy and standard sampling to evaluate the feasibility of TBC in lung cancer diagnosis. Design: We sampled a pair of artificial biopsy specimens using cryoprobe and standard sampling knife from 43 surgically resected lung cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were made at the ISO15189-certified laboratory. IHC was performed using primary antibodies against thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), p40, Ki67, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, 22C3). H-score for TTF-1 and p40 with cut-off value of 50, proportion score for Ki67 and PD-L1 were assessed by two or more observers, and confirmed by a pathologist. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated. Results: There was a perfect correlation between cryoprobe and sampling knife specimens in TTF-1 and p40 (R2=0.977, 0.996, respectively). Ki67 and PD-L1 also showed a strong correlation (R2=0.896, 0.851, respectively). Concerning PD-L1 judgment, 4 cases (9%) resulted in a different category which can be explained by intratumoral heterogeneity. Conclusion: This study revealed high concordance of IHC results between cryobiopsy and standard sampling. TBC is feasible for pathological diagnostics including IHC evaluation.

Diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions has improved since the application of R-EBUS. R-EBUS enables us to confirm not only solid nodules but also ground-glass nodules (GGNs). However, diagnostic bronchoscopy for GGNs still has been challenging because of their subtle pathologic changes. Recently, cryobiopsy has made a great impact for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. We tried to apply cryobiopsy for GGNs, and researched the utility. Fifteen outpatients who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy for GGNs at our hospital from June to September 2017 were enrolled. All procedures were performed using R-EBUS, virtual bronchoscopy, and X-ray fluoroscopy guidance under local anesthesia. After usual sampling (forceps, brush, or aspiration needle), cryobiopsy was added. The diagnostic value and the safety of cryobiopsy were reviewed. The median (range) size of total and solid part were 23.7 (14.4-35.3) and 12.5 (0-24.4) mm. Six nodules located in upper lobe, 11 nodules located at peripheral 1/3, and 6 nodules showed negative bronchus sign. We performed 67 times forceps biopsy and 17 times cryobiopsy. The median (range) area of specimens were significantly larger in cryobiopsy (12.6 [1.26-27.0] vs. 1.77 [0.116-5.88] mm2, p Cryobiopsy enabled us to obtain specimens with better quantity and quality. We could diagnose GGNs more precisely using cryobiopsy under controllable complications.