Developing evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines of justification for radiographic examination after dental implant installation

Abstract Background This study aimed to develop evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines to assess the proper implant location following implant surgery and identify potential complications during follow-up. Methods The guideline development process employed an adaptation methodology in accordance with the Korean clinical imaging guidelines (K-CIG). Core (Ovid-Medline, Ovid-Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Guideline International Network) and domestic databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, and KoMGI) were searched used to retrieve guidelines, and two reviewers analyzed the retrieved articles. The articles were included in this review using well-established inclusion criteria. Results Our online search identified 66 articles, of which 3 were selected for the development of the guidelines. Consequently, based on these three guidelines, we formulated distinct recommendations regarding the appropriate imaging modalities that should be used following implant placement. Conclusions Conventional imaging (e.g., periapical or panoramic radiography) should be the first choice for assessing the implant following its placement and osseointegration. The metal artifacts in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) should be considered. However, CBCT is recommended for patients with sensory abnormalities following dental implant surgery to evaluate and identify the underlying cause of implant complications and to determine the appropriate treatment

Comparison of the MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP with 16S rRNA sequencing and MicroSeq 500 v2.0 analysis for coagulase-negative Staphylococci

BACKGROUND: Three phenotypic identification systems (MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP) were evaluated for their accuracy to identify coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). A total of 120 clinical isolates confirmed to be CNS via 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis with the MicroSeq 500 v2.0 database were assessed. RESULTS: The MicroScan, VITEK 2, and Crystal GP systems correctly identified 82.5%, 87.5%, and 67.5% of the isolates, respectively. Misidentification was the main problem in MicroScan (10.8%) and Crystal GP (23.3%) systems, whereas the main problem of VITEK 2 was low-level discrimination (7.5%). CONCLUSION: None of the 3 phenotypic systems tested could accurately and reliably identify CNS at the species level. Further verifications such as biochemical testing or 16S rRNA sequencing together with analysis using a comparable database might be helpful in this regard

Transformation of ordered face-centered tetragonal θ-MnNi Phase to face-centered cubic austenite during isothermal aging of an Fe-Mn-Ni alloy

The transformation of the grain boundary fct theta-MnNi precipitates to thermodynamically stable austenite was investigated in an Fe-Mn-Ni alloy using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During aging of Fe-Mn-Ni alloys, fine bands began to develop in the theta-MnNi intermetallic particles. The HAADF images revealed these thin bands to be stacking faults and twins that were formed by the glide of 1/6 -type Shockley partial dislocations on {111} planes. The presence of iron in the twin bands was detected by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis. These observations supported the conclusion that the crystal structure of the twin bands was transformed to that of face-centered cubic (fcc) austenite by iron diffusion into the twin bands. A further transformation of the theta-MnNi particle to austenite was proceeded by the development of new austenite bands rather than by the broadening of the existing bands. The mechanism of this transformation was discussed based on the crystal structure of both phases. (C) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.11Nscopu

Assessment of spatial tumor heterogeneity using CT growth patterns estimated by tumor tracking on 3D CT volumetry of multiple pulmonary metastatic nodules.

PurposeOur purpose was to assess the differences in growth rates of multiple pulmonary metastatic nodules using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volumetry and propose a concept of CT spatial tumor heterogeneity.Materials and methodsWe manually measured the largest diameter of metastatic pulmonary nodules on chest CT scans, and calculated the 3D maximum diameter and the volume using a semi-automated 3D CT volumetry of each nodule. The tumor response was assessed according to the revised RECIST 1.1. We defined a nodule as an outlier based on 1.5 times growth during follow-up. The CT spatial tumor heterogeneity was statistically analyzed by the "minimum combination t-test method" devised in our study.ResultsOn manual measurement, the tumor response category was stable disease (SD) in all 10 patients. Of them, total 155 metastatic nodules (4-52 nodules per patient) were segmented using the 3D CT volumetry. In the 3D maximum diameter, 9 patients had SD except for one patient with partial response in the two selected nodules; for the volume, all 10 patients were SD. For the 3D maximum diameter, six patients had at least one outlier; whereas five patients had the outlier on the volume measurement. Six patients were proven to have overall CT spatial tumor heterogeneity.ConclusionsThe spatial tumor heterogeneity determined in a CT parametric approach could be statistically assessed. In patients with CT spatial heterogeneity, tumors with different growth rates may be neglected when the nodules are assessed according to the current guideline

Variable-Color Light-Emitting Diodes Using GaN Microdonut arrays

Microdonut-shaped GaN/InxGa1-xN light-emitting diode (LED) microarrays are fabricated for variable-color emitters. The figure shows clearly donut-shaped light emission from all the individual microdonut LEDs. Furthermore, microdonut LEDs exhibit spatially-resolved blue and green EL colors, which can be tuned by either controlling the external bias voltage or changing the size of the microdonut LED

Acetobacter vaccinii sp. nov., a novel acetic acid bacterium isolated from blueberry fruit (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Strain C17-3T was isolated from blueberry fruits collected from a farmland located in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences allocated strain C17-3T to the genus Acetobacter , where it occupied a rather isolated line of descent with Acetobacter ghanensis 430AT and Acetobacter lambici LMG 27439T as the nearest neighbours (98.9 % sequence similarity to both species). The highest average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were 76.3 % and 21.7 % with Acetobacter garciniae TBRC 12339T; both values were well below the cutoff values for species delineation. Cells are strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative rods, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The DNA G+C content calculated from the genome sequence was 59.2 %. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c) and C19 : 0cyclo ω8c. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 9. On the basis of the results of phylogenetic analyses, phenotypic features and genomic comparisons, it is proposed that strain C17-3T represents a novel species of the genus Acetobacter and the name Acetobacter vaccinii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C17-3T (= KACC 21233T = LMG 31758T).</jats:p

Clinical efficacy and safety of interferon (Type I and Type III) therapy in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Interferon (IFN) has been highlighted in several randomized controlled trials as an attractive therapeutic candidate based plausible mode of action, suppressed response in severe COVID-19, and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of IFN in patients with COVID-19 according to clinical severity. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of IFN (systemic or inhaled IFN-α, -β, and -λ) treatment in adult patients with COVID-19 were identified by systematically searching electronic databases until January 2023. Risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, meta-analysis, and certainty of evidence grading were followed for the systematic review. We included 11 trials comprising 6,124 patients. Compared with exclusive standard care or placebo, IFN therapy did not provide significant clinical benefits for mortality at day 28 (pooled risk ratio [RR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-1.18, 9 studies, low-certainty evidence) and progression to mechanical ventilation (pooled RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.81-1.43, 6 studies, low-certainty evidence) in patients with COVID-19. IFN therapy resulted in significantly increased hospital discharge on day 14 relative to the control arm (pooled RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04-1.59). These results were inconsistent compared to other comparable outcomes such as recovery at day 14 and time to clinical improvement. The IFN-treated arm was as safe as the control arm, regardless of clinical severity (pooled RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.64-1.19, 9 studies, low-certainty evidence). In conclusion, IFN therapy was safe but did not demonstrate favorable outcomes for major clinical indices in patients with COVID-19, particularly those with higher than moderate severity. IFN therapy was not associated with worsening outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19. Future clinical trials should evaluate the clinical efficacy of IFN therapy in patients with mild COVID-19 or at an earlier stage. Trial registration: The protocol for this review was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42022301413

Preferential growth of boron layer in magnesium diboride (MgB2) by Mg diffusion method

Growth mechanism and grain boundary (GB) contact of polycrystalline MgB2 fabricated by Mg diffusion method are studied by STEM and EELS analyses. In contrast to the previous reports based on the computational calculation, preferential growth of (001) boron (B) layer and the B-B contact at MgB2 GBs are confirmed by annular dark field (ADF) -STEM image and the combined EELS analyses. The effect of B-B contact at the GB on the superconductivity is further evaluated using First principles calculation. Superior GB linkage of the supercurrent flow via GB B-B contact is expected from the calculated density of states at Fermi level. B-terminated growth mechanism in Mg diffusion method and the effect of GB connectivity via B-B and Mg-Mg contacts are discussed. Finally, we suggest a model of GB linkage of supercurrent flow via B-B contact in polycrystalline MgB2

Growth and optical characteristics of high-quality ZnO thin films on graphene layers

We report the growth of high-quality, smooth, and flat ZnO thin films on graphene layers and their photoluminescence (PL) characteristics. For the growth of high-quality ZnO thin films on graphene layers, ZnO nanowalls were grown using metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy on oxygen-plasma treated graphene layers as an intermediate layer. PL measurements were conducted at low temperatures to examine strong near-band-edge emission peaks. The full-width-at-half-maximum value of the dominant PL emission peak was as narrow as 4 meV at T = 11 K, comparable to that of the best-quality films reported previously. Furthermore, the stimulated emission of ZnO thin films on the graphene layers was observed at the low excitation energy of 180 kW/cm2 at room temperature. Their structural and optical characteristics were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and PL spectroscopy