Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of biopsy-proven Kikuchi disease: initial experiences for evaluating feasibility in pediatric patients

Purpose

This study evaluated the feasibility of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and characterized the sonographic features of lymph nodes (LNs) with Kikuchi disease in pediatric patients.

Methods

Seventy-six cervical LN biopsies were performed for the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy. ARFI imaging was performed, and the characteristic ultrasound features of the biopsied LNs and the contralateral LNs were analyzed. We also reviewed clinical and conventional ultrasonographic findings.

Results

On histology, 56 patients were diagnosed with Kikuchi disease. These LNs were large and elongated, with increased perinodal echogenicity and capsular thickening. In 38 of them, ARFI elastography was performed, and the median shear wave velocity (SWV) of the biopsied LNs with Kikuchi disease (2.19 m/sec; range, 1.45 to 4.57 m/sec) was higher than of the contralateral LNs (1.72 m/sec; range, 0.95 to 2.65 m/sec; P<0.001). In patients with reactive hyperplasia, the mean SWV of the biopsied LNs (2.00 m/sec; range, 1.49 to 2.26 m/sec) was higher than that of the contralateral LNs (1.55 m/sec; range, 1.21 to 2.32 m/sec; P=0.031).

Conclusion

The SWV of LNs with Kikuchi disease was significantly higher than that of the contralateral LNs. Morphologically, LNs with Kikuchi disease showed an enlarged, elongated, and oval shape, increased perinodal echogenicity, and capsular thickening. In addition to the conventional ultrasonographic findings, the application of ARFI is feasible even in pediatric patients for the evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy.

Anatomical analysis of the resected roots of mandibular first molars after failed non-surgical retreatment

Objectives

Understanding the reason for an unsuccessful non-surgical endodontic treatment outcome, as well as the complex anatomy of the root canal system, is very important. This study examined the cross-sectional root canal structure of mandibular first molars confirmed to have failed non-surgical root canal treatment using digital images obtained during intentional replantation surgery, as well as the causative factors of the failed conventional endodontic treatments.

Materials and Methods

This study evaluated 115 mandibular first molars. Digital photographic images of the resected surface were taken at the apical 3 mm level and examined. The discolored dentin area around the root canal was investigated by measuring the total surface area, the treated areas as determined by the endodontic filling material, and the discolored dentin area.

Results

Forty 2-rooted teeth showed discolored root dentin in both the mesial and distal roots. Compared to the original filled area, significant expansion of root dentin discoloration was observed. Moreover, the mesial roots were significantly more discolored than the distal roots. Of the 115 molars, 92 had 2 roots. Among the mesial roots of the 2-rooted teeth, 95.7% of the roots had 2 canals and 79.4% had partial/complete isthmuses and/or accessory canals.

Conclusions

Dentin discoloration that was not visible on periapical radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography was frequently found in mandibular first molars that failed endodontic treatment. The complex anatomy of the mesial roots of the mandibular first molars is another reason for the failure of conventional endodontic treatment.

Scalable and facile synthesis of stretchable thermoelectric fabric for wearable self-powered temperature sensors

Wearable sensor systems with ultra-thinness, light weight, high flexibility, and stretchability that are conformally in contact with the skin have advanced tremendously in many respects, but they still face challenges in terms of scalability, processibility, and manufacturability. Here, we report a highly stretchable and wearable textile-based self-powered temperature sensor fabricated using commercial thermoelectric inks. Through various combinations of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and graphene inks, we obtained linear temperature-sensing capability. The optimized sensor generates a thermoelectric voltage output of 1.1 mV for a temperature difference of 100 K through a combination of PEDOT:PSS and AgNPs inks and it shows high durability up to 800 cycles of 20% strain. In addition, the knitted textile substrate exhibits temperature-sensing properties that are dependent upon the stretching directions. We believe that stretchable thermoelectric fabric has broader potential for application in human–machine interfaces, health-monitoring technologies, and humanoid robotics.

A highly stretchable and wearable textile-based self-powered temperature sensor fabricated using commercial thermoelectric inks is presented.

FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of cancer and the 5-year survival rate is only 5%. Several studies have suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be involved in recurrence and metastasis and so it is essential to establish an approach targeting CSCs. Here we have demonstrated that cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) suppressed CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs in PDAC. Microarray analysis suggested that cGMP inhibited Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), which is known as a tumor suppressor. Surprisingly, our data demonstrated that FOXO3 is essential for CD44 expression and the properties of CSCs. Our data also indicated that patients with high FOXO3 activation signatures had poor prognoses. This evidence suggested that cGMP induction and FOXO3 inhibition could be ideal candidates for pancreatic CSC.