The Nonexistence of [132, 6, 86]3 Codes and [135, 6, 88]3 Codes

We prove the nonexistence of [g3(6, d), 6, d]3 codes for d = 86, 87, 88, where g3(k, d) = ∑⌈d/3i⌉ and i=0 ... k−1. This determines n3(6, d) for d = 86, 87, 88, where nq(k, d) is the minimum length n for which an [n, k, d]q code exists

A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for the Existence of an (n,r)-arc in PG(2,q) and Its Applications

ACM Computing Classification System (1998): E.4.Let q be a prime or a prime power ≥ 3. The purpose of this paper is to give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an (n, r)-arc in PG(2, q ) for given integers n, r and q using the geometric structure of points and lines in PG(2, q ) for n > r ≥ 3. Using the geometric method and a computer, it is shown that there exists no (34, 3) arc in PG(2, 17), equivalently, there exists no [34, 3, 31] 17 code.This research was partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under Contract Number 24540138

Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines for Stage IV NSCLC With EGFR Mutations

Patients with NSCLC in East Asia, including Japan, frequently contain EGFR mutations. In 2018, we published the latest full clinical practice guidelines on the basis of those provided by the Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines Committee. The purpose of this study was to update those recommendations, especially for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent EGFR-mutated NSCLC. We conducted a literature search of systematic reviews of randomized controlled and nonrandomized trials published between 2018 and 2019 that multiple physicians had reviewed independently. On the basis of those studies and the advice from the Japanese Society of Lung Cancer Expert Panel, we developed updated guidelines according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. We also evaluated the benefits of overall and progression-free survival, end points, toxicities, and patients’ reported outcomes. For patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR-activating mutations, the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs), especially osimertinib, had the best recommendation as to first-line treatment. We also recommended the combination of EGFR TKI with other agents (platinum-based chemotherapy or antiangiogenic agents); however, it can lead to toxicity. In the presence of EGFR uncommon mutations, except for an exon 20 insertion, we also recommended the EGFR TKI treatment. However, we could not provide recommendations for the treatment of EGFR mutations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including monotherapy, and its combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, because of the limited evidence present in the literature. The 2020 Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines can help community-based physicians to determine the most appropriate treatments and adequately provide medical care to their patients

Comparison between Fluorimetry (Qubit) and Spectrophotometry (NanoDrop) in the Quantification of DNA and RNA Extracted from Frozen and FFPE Tissues from Lung Cancer Patients: A Real-World Use of Genomic Tests

Background and Objectives: Panel-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been carried out in daily clinical settings for the diagnosis and treatment guidance of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The success of genomic tests including NGS depends in large part on preparing better-quality DNA or RNA; however, there are no established operating methods for preparing genomic DNA and RNA samples. Materials and Methods: We compared the following two quantitative methods, the QubitTM and NanoDropTM, using 585 surgical specimens, 278 biopsy specimens, and 82 cell block specimens of lung cancer that were used for genetic tests, including NGS. We analyzed the success rate of the genomic tests, including NGS, which were performed with DNA and RNA with concentrations that were outliers for the Qubit Fluorometer. Results: The absolute value for DNA concentrations had a tendency to be higher when measured with NanoDropTM regardless of the type of specimen; however, this was not the case for RNA. The success rate of DNA-based genomic tests using specimens with a concentration below the lower limit of QubitTM detection was as high as approximately 96%. At less than 60%, the success rate of RNA-based genomic tests, including RT-PCR, was not as satisfactory. The success rates of the AmpliSeqTM DNA panel sequencing and RNA panel sequencing were 77.8% and 91.5%, respectively. If at least one PCR amplification product could be obtained, then all RNA-based sequencing was performed successfully. Conclusions: The concentration measurements with NanoDropTM are reliable. The success rate of NGS with samples at concentrations below the limit of detection of QubitTM was relatively higher than expected, and it is worth performing PCR-based panel sequencing, especially in cases where re-biopsy cannot be performed

Effectiveness of psychological first aid in infectious disease pandemics: An overview of systematic reviews

Abstract There is insufficient research on the usefulness of psychological interventions, such as psychological first aid (PFA), during outbreaks. We searched for and critically appraised systematic reviews that examined the effectiveness of PFA during infectious disease outbreaks, such as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Systematic reviews that examined the efficacy of PFA in the severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Ebola virus disease, and COVID‐19 outbreaks were searched through PubMed on February 19, 2021. The three included systematic reviews were critically appraised and assessed using AMSTAR‐2. One review's overall confidence in its findings was evaluated as “high,” which suggested that PFA training had a favorable effect on healthcare personnel. Furthermore, the review also demonstrated that PFA was commonly used during outbreaks and could be delivered through multiple methods, such as a phone or video call. Although it was anticipated that PFA would improve subjective well‐being, reports showed no evidence of reduced depression or insomnia. Future studies should examine additional numbers of PFA recipients and conduct quasi‐experimental studies to better understand the effectiveness of PFA. Evidence on its effectiveness in infectious disease outbreaks is still lacking, along with research and evaluation methods. Quasi‐experimental studies, such as comparisons with other psychological interventions, are required to better understand the effectiveness of PFA