CD44 Variant 6 Expression and Tumor Budding in the Medullary Invasion Front of Mandibular Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma Are Predictive Factors for Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with invasion into the mandibular medullary space has been reported to be a predictive factor for cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). As CLNM has been associated with the stemness of cancer cells, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between clinical characteristics and immunohistochemical findings on the invasion front of the medullary invasive OSCC and CLNM. The medical records of 25 patients with the mandibular medullary invasive OSCC who were performed mandibulectomy and neck dissection in our department from 2010 to 2016 were examined.

Arterial Spin Labeling Imaging for the Parotid Glands of Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by hypofunction of the salivary and lacrimal glands. The salivary function is largely dependent upon the blood supply in the glands. However, the diseased states of the gland perfusion are not well understood.

Length of intact plasma membrane determines the diffusion properties of cellular water.

Molecular diffusion in a boundary-free medium depends only on the molecular size, the temperature, and medium viscosity. However, the critical determinant of the molecular diffusion property in inhomogeneous biological tissues has not been identified. Here, using an in vitro system and a high-resolution MR imaging technique, we show that the length of the intact plasma membrane is a major determinant of water diffusion in a controlled cellular environment and that the cell perimeter length (CPL) is sufficient to estimate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in any cellular environment in our experimental system (ADC = -0.

Reevaluation for clinical manifestations of HTLV-I-seropositive patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: The aim of the study was to reassess the prevalence and characteristics of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and SS in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) based on the American European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria in HTLV-I endemic area, Nagasaki prefecture.

Methods: The 349 patients who underwent a minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) for suspected SS were retrospectively classified by AECG classification criteria and divided with or without anti-HTLV-I antibody.

Results: The HTLV-I data-available 294 patients were investigated.

Salivary gland ultrasonography as a primary imaging tool for predicting efficacy of xerostomia treatment in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate ultrasonography (US) grading of salivary gland disease as a predictor of treatment efficacy for impaired salivary function in xerostomia patients with or without Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the prognostic importance of salivary US grading in 317 patients (168 with SS and 149 without SS). US images of the parotid and submandibular glands in each patient were individually categorized into grades 0-4 based on the extent of damage to the gland; and the sum total grade of the two gland types on either side was assigned a US score of 0-8 for each patient.

GSK-3β-dependent downregulation of γ-taxilin and αNAC merge to regulate ER stress responses.

The signaling pathway leading to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses has not been fully elucidated. Here we showed that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)-dependent downregulation of γ-taxilin and nascent polypeptide-associated complex α-subunit (αNAC) mediates hypoxia-induced unfolded protein responses (UPRs) and the subsequent apoptotic and autophagic pathways. The degradation of γ-taxilin or αNAC was sufficient to initiate UPRs in normoxic cells.

Simple and reliable determination of intravoxel incoherent motion parameters for the differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging can characterize diffusion and perfusion of normal and diseased tissues, and IVIM parameters are authentically determined by using cumbersome least-squares method. We evaluated a simple technique for the determination of IVIM parameters using geometric analysis of the multiexponential signal decay curve as an alternative to the least-squares method for the diagnosis of head and neck tumors. Pure diffusion coefficients (D), microvascular volume fraction (f), perfusion-related incoherent microcirculation (D*), and perfusion parameter that is heavily weighted towards extravascular space (P) were determined geometrically (Geo D, Geo f, and Geo P) or by least-squares method (Fit D, Fit f, and Fit D*) in normal structures and 105 head and neck tumors.

Ultrasonography as an additional item in the American College of Rheumatology classification of Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: In this study we evaluated US as an additional classification item in the ACR classification of SS.

Methods: Of 581 patients classified as either SS (n = 364) or non-SS (n = 217) based on the minimum requirements of the American-European Consensus Group (AECG) classification, 184 patients (102 SS and 82 non-SS) who had scored two or more positive or two or more negative results according to the ACR criteria were selected. The AECG classification was used as the gold standard.

Long-term follow-up after reimplantation of tumorous mandible bone treated with combination of decalcification and lyophilization.

Mandibular resection requires reconstruction, with often unsatisfactory morphofunctional results. Reimplantation of the resected mandible itself is one of ideal solutions to this problem. However, both devitalization of tumor cells involved in resected bone and preservation of osteoinductive activity are required for successful results.

Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of masticatory muscles: pilot study for the assessment of perfusion and diffusion during clenching.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging for assessing perfusion and diffusion of masticatory muscles during clenching.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective study was performed to assess the perfusion and diffusion of masticatory muscles during clenching. The masseter and medial pterygoid muscles participate in clenching, and the lateral pterygoids do not.

Head and neck tumours: combined MRI assessment based on IVIM and TIC analyses for the differentiation of tumors of different histological types.

Objectives: We evaluated the combined use of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and time-signal intensity curve (TIC) analyses to diagnose head and neck tumours.

Methods: We compared perfusion-related parameters (PP) and molecular diffusion values (D) determined from IVIM theory and TIC profiles among 92 tumours with different histologies.

Results: IVIM parameters (f and D values) and TIC profiles in combination were distinct among the different types of head and neck tumours, including squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), lymphomas, malignant salivary gland tumours, Warthin's tumours, pleomorphic adenomas and schwannomas.

IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease: ultrasonography of the salivary and lacrimal glands for monitoring the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy.

Objectives: IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease (IgG4-MD) has been recently established as a subtype of IgG4-related diseases involving the salivary and lacrimal glands, and the diseased glands are characteristically and highly responsive to corticosteroid therapy. We retrospectively evaluated ultrasonography (US) of the salivary and lacrimal glands for monitoring the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in patients with IgG4-MD.

Methods: US features of the salivary and lacrimal glands were assessed and compared with the serum IgG4 levels in 8 patients with IgG4-MD before and at various stages after initiation of oral corticosteroids.

Multiparametric MR imaging for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules: initial experience in 23 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate multiparametric MR imaging with combined use of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and time-signal intensity curves (TICs) for discriminating malignant thyroid nodules from benign ones.

Materials And Methods: ADCs and TICs of 7 benign and 16 malignant nodules were retrospectively analyzed on lesion-by-lesion (overall ADCs and TICs) and pixel-by-pixel (ADC and TIC mapping) bases. ADCs were determined using b-values of 500 and 1000 s/mm(2) .

Head and neck tumors: assessment of perfusion-related parameters and diffusion coefficients based on the intravoxel incoherent motion model.

Background And Purpose: IVIM MR imaging provides perfusion and diffusion information with a single diffusion-weighted MR image. We determined whether PP and D differ among various types of head and neck tumors.

Materials And Methods: The study cohort included 123 head and neck tumors: 30 SCCs, 28 benign and 20 malignant SG tumors, 36 lymphomas, and 9 schwannomas.

Comparison between ultrasonography and MR imaging for discriminating squamous cell carcinoma nodes with extranodal spread in the neck.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic ability of ultrasonography (US) and MR imaging for discriminating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) nodes with extranodal spread (ENS) in the neck.

Methods: US and MR imaging was retrospectively evaluated for differentiating ENS-positive (n=28) from ENS-negative (n=26) SCC nodes (>10mm short-axis diameter) in 50 patients with head and neck SCCs. We assessed nodal size on US and MR images; irregular nodal margin on US; and vanishing nodal border, flare, and shaggy nodal margin signs on T1-, fat-suppressed T2-, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images, respectively.

SU-E-I-115: Wavelet Analysis of Ultrasound Image for the Diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome.

Purpose: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an auto-immune disease presenting with dry eyes and mouth (keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia). Ultrasonography is used for the initial and non-invasive investigation of the parotid gland in the disease. The purpose of this study is to develop an image processing for diagnosis of SS by applying wavelet analysis to ultrasound image.

Salivary gland tumors: use of intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging for assessment of diffusion and perfusion for the differentiation of benign from malignant tumors.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters (microvascular volume fraction, f; pure diffusion coefficient, D; and perfusion-related incoherent microcirculation, D*) for differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

Materials And Methods: All participants in this prospective institutional review board-approved study provided written informed consent. The perfusion and diffusion of 20 (65%) benign (12 pleomorphic adenomas and eight Warthin tumors) and 11 (35%) malignant salivary gland tumors were assessed on the basis of the IVIM theory.

Efficacy of diffusion-weighted imaging for the differentiation between lymphomas and carcinomas of the nasopharynx and oropharynx: correlations of apparent diffusion coefficients and histologic features.

Background And Purpose: ADCs may help distinguish benign from malignant head and neck diseases. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of ADC for differentiating between carcinomas and lymphomas of the nasopharynx and oropharynx.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively compared the ADCs between 24 histologically proved lymphomas and 32 carcinomas, including 8 NPCs and 7 lymphomas of the nasopharynx, and 24 SCCs and 17 lymphomas of the oropharynx.

Multiparametric MR imaging of sinonasal diseases: time-signal intensity curve- and apparent diffusion coefficient-based differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.

Background And Purpose: The sinonasal region is a platform for a broad spectrum of benign and malignant diseases, and image-based differentiation between benign and malignant diseases in this area is often difficult. Here, we evaluated multiparametric MR imaging with combined use of TICs and ADCs for the differentiation between benign and malignant sinonasal tumors and tumorlike diseases.

Materials And Methods: TICs obtained from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and ADCs were analyzed on a lesion-by-lesion (overall TIC and ADC) and pixel-by-pixel (TIC and ADC mapping) basis in patients with benign (n = 21) or malignant (n = 23) sinonasal tumors and tumorlike diseases.

Extranodal spread in the neck: MRI detection on the basis of pixel-based time-signal intensity curve analysis.

Purpose: We evaluated dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the preoperative detection of extranodal spread (ENS) in metastatic nodes in the neck.

Materials And Methods: The time-signal intensity curve (TIC) profiles of 54 histologically proven metastatic nodes (26 ENS-positive and 28 ENS-negative) from 43 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were retrospectively analyzed to determine the effective TIC criteria for ENS-positive nodes. The TICs were semiautomatically classified into four distinctive patterns (flat, slow uptake, rapid uptake with low washout ratio, and rapid uptake with high washout ratio) on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Apparent diffusion coefficient mapping for sinonasal diseases: differentiation of benign and malignant lesions.

Background And Purpose: CT and MR imaging features of benign and malignant sinonasal lesions are often nonspecific. Therefore, we evaluated the ADC-based differentiation of these lesions.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively assessed ADCs of 61 patients with histologically proved sinonasal tumors and tumorlike lesions: 19 benign lesions, 28 malignant tumors, and 14 inflammatory lesions.

Salivary gland ultrasonography: can it be an alternative to sialography as an imaging modality for Sjogren's syndrome?

Objectives: Salivary ultrasonography (US) was evaluated as an alternative imaging modality to sialography for Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: Parotid sialography and parotid and submandibular US were performed in 360 patients (188 with SS and 172 non-SS) who were suspected of SS and had fulfilled the American-European criteria (AEC) for SS or had received > or =3 of the objective examinations that were considered minimal requirements for classifying non-SS and had undergone both the imaging examinations. The glands were considered positive for SS if they exhibited peripheral sialoectatic changes on sialography and/or hypoechoic areas, echogenic streaks and/or irregular gland margins on US.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for the differentiation between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

Purpose: To evaluate the stepwise approach in differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors using time-intensity curves (TICs) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs).

Materials And Methods: TICs and ADCs were analyzed on the tumor-by-tumor (overall) and pixel-by-pixel (TIC and ADC maps) bases in patients with benign (n = 52) or malignant (n = 18) salivary gland tumor. TICs were categorized into Types 1 (<20% increment ratio), 2 (>or=20% increment ratio and >120 sec peak time), 3 (>or=20% increment ratio, or=20% increment ratio, or=30% washout ratio).

alphaNAC depletion as an initiator of ER stress-induced apoptosis in hypoxia.

Accumulation of unfolded proteins triggers endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and is considered a part of the cellular responses to hypoxia. The nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) participates in the proper maturation of newly synthesized proteins. However, thus far, there have been no comprehensive studies on NAC involvement in hypoxic stress.

Diagnostic importance of focal defects in the apparent diffusion coefficient-based differentiation between lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma nodes in the neck.

We investigated the diagnostic importance of focal defects in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based differentiation between lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) nodes in the neck. The ADCs were analyzed for 79 lymphoma nodes from 26 patients and 88 SCC nodes from 45 patients. The ADCs of the lymphoma nodes without focal defects (0.