Mechanical analysis of the improved superelastic Ni-Ti alloy wire using the orthodontic simulator with high-precision sensors.

Purpose: The authors have been using improved superelastic Nickel-Titanium alloy wire (ISW) to close and align extraction spaces simultaneously, instead of separately using rigid wires for closing extraction spaces and Ni-Ti alloy wires for leveling and aligning. ISW has a low stiffness, which makes it challenging to generate sufficient moments. This study aimed to demonstrate the forces and moments exerted on adjacent brackets using an orthodontic simulator (OSIM) attached to a high-precision 6-axis sensor.

Impact of smoking on one year functional outcomes after thrombectomy for young stroke patients.

Background: The incidence of stroke in young patients (20-50 years old) has increased in recent decades. Unlike the use of good functional outcomes to evaluate prognosis, excellent functional outcomes are a better indicator of return to work among younger patients. The rate of return to work increases with time after stroke.

Predictors of 30-day mortality after endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion in the elderly.

Objectives: Elderly acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients (≥80 years) would have dismal clinical outcomes even after successful endovascular revascularization for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. We aimed to identify predictors of 30-day mortality after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the elderly.

Materials And Methods: We included older patients who underwent EVT for AIS due to LVO within 6 h after stroke onset in the anterior circulation between 2017 and 2019.

Post-orthodontic recontouring of anterior teeth using composite injection technique with a digital workflow.

Objective: Restorative treatment of anterior teeth is often required as the final step of orthodontic therapy to optimize the esthetics and function. This case report presents a direct minimally invasive approach for post-orthodontic recontouring of anterior teeth using the composite injection technique with a digital workflow.

Clinical Considerations: The extraction of central incisors with short roots was indicated to resolve maxillary anterior crowding.

Development of 6-Axis Orthodontic Force and Moment Sensing Device for Decreasing Accident of Orthodontic Treatment.

The purpose of this study is to develop the sensing device which measures three-axis force and three-axis moment for reducing the number of accident in orthodontic treatment. The device is necessary for adequate quantitative evaluation of orthodontic forces during orthodontics. The developed sensing device is composed of six-axis force sensors, tooth models, and arms for connecting sensors and tooth models.

Nonbifurcating Carotid Artery: A Case Report with a Review of Embryogenesis.

BACKGROUND Vascular anomalies of the carotid vessels can be attributed to false embryogenesis. A rare variant called a nonbifurcating carotid artery (NBCA) exists, where typical carotid bifurcation is not recognizable with its typical branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). This paper describes a case of this anomaly and reviews the embryogenesis of the carotid arteries for explanation.

A new orthodontic force system for moment control utilizing the flexibility of common wires: Evaluation of the effect of contractile force and hook length.

Background/purpose: The application of an appropriate force system is indispensable for successful orthodontic treatments. Second-order moment control is especially important in many clinical situations, so we developed a new force system composed of a straight orthodontic wire and two crimpable hooks of different lengths to produce the second-order moment. The objective of this study was to evaluate this new force system and determine an optimum condition that could be used in clinics.

Six-axis orthodontic force and moment sensing system for dentist technique training.

The purpose of this study is to develop a sensing system device that measures three-axis orthodontic forces and three-axis orthodontic moments for dentist training. The developed sensing system is composed of six-axis force sensors, action sticks, sliders, and tooth models. The developed system also simulates various types of tooth row shape patterns in orthodontic operations, and measures a 14 × 6 axis orthodontic force and moment from tooth models simultaneously.

Development and modification of a device for three-dimensional measurement of orthodontic force system: The V-bend system re-visited.

We developed a device to evaluate the orthodontic force applied by systems requiring high operability. A life-sized, two-tooth model was designed, and the measurements were performed using a custom-made jointed attachment, referred to as an "action stick", to allow clearance for the oversized six-axis sensors. This tooth-sensor apparatus was accurately calibrated, and the error was limited.

Cognitive MRI-TRUS fusion-targeted prostate biopsy according to PI-RADS classification in patients with prior negative systematic biopsy results.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prostate cancer yield rate of targeted transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy with cognitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) registration without concurrent systematic biopsy in patients with previous negative systematic TRUS-guided biopsy results and persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Methods: In this prospective study conducted from August 2013 to January 2015, patients with at least one previous negative systematic TRUS-guided biopsy and persistently high PSA (≥4 ng/mL) levels were referred for multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). Those patients with suspicious findings on mpMRI received a subsequent cognitive MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy.

The Effectiveness of ART Score in Selecting Patients for Transarterial Chemoembolization Retreatment: A Cohort Study in Taiwan.

The major issue in selecting patients for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) lies in determining the optimal number of TACE sessions that may benefit patients before switching to other therapies. This is often a subjective decision not based on any standardized protocol. The ART (Assessment for Retreatment with Transarterial chemoembolization) score was recently developed to determine patients who may benefit from multiple sessions of TACE for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided cryoablation for renal tumor: Experience in 30 cases.

Background: Percutaneous cryoablation is a minimally invasive alternative for surgical resection of a renal tumor. We report our experience with applying computed tomography-guided cryoablation in renal tumors, focusing on the technique, safety, and treatment response.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received cryoablation from October 2009 to August 2013 for renal tumor diagnosed by imaging studies performed at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.