Clinical utility of artificial intelligence assistance in histopathologic review of lymph node metastasis for gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Advances in whole-slide image capture and computer image analyses using deep learning technologies have enabled the development of computer-assisted diagnostics in pathology. Herein, we built a deep learning algorithm to detect lymph node (LN) metastasis on whole-slide images of LNs retrieved from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluated its performance in clinical settings. METHODS: We randomly selected 18 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery with curative intent and were positive for LN metastasis at Chiba University Hospital. A ResNet-152-based assistance system was established to detect LN metastases and to outline regions that are highly probable for metastasis in LN images. Reference standards comprising 70 LN images from two different institutions were reviewed by six pathologists with or without algorithm assistance, and their diagnostic performances were compared between the two settings. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between these two settings regarding sensitivity, review time, or confidence levels in classifying macrometastases, isolated tumor cells, and metastasis-negative. Meanwhile, the sensitivity for detecting micrometastases significantly improved with algorithm assistance, although the review time was significantly longer than that without assistance. Analysis of the algorithm's sensitivity in detecting metastasis in the reference standard indicated an area under the curve of 0.869, whereas that for the detection of micrometastases was 0.785. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of histological types in gastric adenocarcinoma could account for these relatively low performances; however, this level of algorithm performance could suffice to help pathologists improve diagnostic accuracy.

Perspective: sustainability challenges, opportunities and solutions for long-term ecosystem observations.

As interest in natural capital grows and society increasingly recognizes the value of biodiversity, we must discuss how ecosystem observations to detect changes in biodiversity can be sustained through collaboration across regions and sectors. However, there are many barriers to establishing and sustaining large-scale, fine-resolution ecosystem observations. First, comprehensive monitoring data on both biodiversity and possible anthropogenic factors are lacking. Second, some in situ ecosystem observations cannot be systematically established and maintained across locations. Third, equitable solutions across sectors and countries are needed to build a global network. Here, by examining individual cases and emerging frameworks, mainly from (but not limited to) Japan, we illustrate how ecological science relies on long-term data and how neglecting basic monitoring of our home planet further reduces our chances of overcoming the environmental crisis. We also discuss emerging techniques and opportunities, such as environmental DNA and citizen science as well as using the existing and forgotten sites of monitoring, that can help overcome some of the difficulties in establishing and sustaining ecosystem observations at a large scale with fine resolution. Overall, this paper presents a call to action for joint monitoring of biodiversity and anthropogenic factors, the systematic establishment and maintenance of in situ observations, and equitable solutions across sectors and countries to build a global network, beyond cultures, languages, and economic status. We hope that our proposed framework and the examples from Japan can serve as a starting point for further discussions and collaborations among stakeholders across multiple sectors of society. It is time to take the next step in detecting changes in socio-ecological systems, and if monitoring and observation can be made more equitable and feasible, they will play an even more important role in ensuring global sustainability for future generations. This article is part of the theme issue 'Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions'.

The Use of Deep Learning-Based Computer Diagnostic Algorithm for Detection of Lymph Node Metastases of Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

Objectives. The diversifying modalities of treatment for gastric cancer raise urgent demands for the rapid and precise diagnosis of metastases in regional lymph nodes, thereby significantly impact the workload of pathologists. Meanwhile, the recent advent of whole-slide scanners and deep-learning techniques have enabled the computer-assisted analysis of histopathological images, which could help to alleviate this impact. Thus, we developed a deep learning-based diagnostic algorithm to detect lymph node metastases of gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluated its performance. Methods. We randomly selected 20 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery as definitive treatment and were found to be node metastasis-positive. HEMATOXYLIN-eosin (HE) stained glass slides, including a total of 51 metastasis-positive nodes, were retrieved from the specimens of these cases. Other slides with 776 metastasis-negative nodes were also retrieved from other twenty cases with the same disease that were diagnosed as metastasis-negative by the final pathological examinations. All glass slides were digitized using a whole-slide scanner. A deep-learning algorithm to detect metastases was developed using the data in which metastasis-positive parts of the images were annotated by a well-trained pathologist, and its performance in detecting metastases was evaluated. Results. Cross-validation analysis indicated an area of 0.9994 under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Free-response receiver operating characteristic curve (FROC) analysis indicated a sensitivity of 1.00 with three false positives. Further evaluation using an independent dataset also showed similar level of accuracies. Conclusion. This deep learning-based diagnosis-aid system is a promising tool that can assist pathologists involved in gastric cancer care and reduce their workload.

Use of the dental formula from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

The National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) is a database including health insurance claim and specific health checkup data. Observational studies using real-world big data attract attention because they have certain strengths, including external validity and a large sample size. This review focused on research using the dental formula of the NDB because the number of teeth is an important indicator of oral health. The number of teeth present calculated using the dental formula of periodontitis patients was similar to that from the Survey of Dental Diseases. In addition, the graphs of the presence rates of tooth types by 5-year age groups from the NDB were smoother and had less overlap than those from the Survey of Dental Diseases, and they could detect slight changes in the presence rate that reflected sugar consumption before and after World War II. Using the NDB, a low number of teeth was associated with high medical care expenditures, high risk of aspiration pneumonia, and high risk of Alzheimer's disease. Although there are some restrictions on the use of the NDB, we hope that dental research using the NDB will be further promoted in the future.

Reasons for Tooth Extractions in Japan: The Second Nationwide Survey.

BACKGROUND: More than 10 years have passed since the first nationwide study on the reasons for tooth extraction in Japan. In the present study, we conducted the second nationwide survey to update the previous data. METHODS: This was a descriptive study. A sample population consisting of 5,250 dentists was selected by systematic random sampling using the 2018 membership directory of the Japan Dental Association. The reason for each permanent tooth extraction was documented by each dentist during a period of 1 week from June 4 to June 10, 2018. A questionnaire was provided for documentation. Reasons for tooth extraction were categorised into 6 groups as follows: caries, periodontal disease, fracture, orthodontics, impacted teeth, and others. RESULTS: A total of 2345 identified dentists responded to the questionnaire (recovery rate: 44.8%). Information on 7809 extracted teeth from 6398 patients was obtained. Periodontal disease was the main reason for tooth extraction for both sexes (men: 40.4%, women: 34.9%). Caries accounted for 30.2% of tooth extractions among men and 29.0% among women. Periodontal disease was predominant in the groups older than 55 years of age. Dental fracture accounted for 16.8% of tooth extractions among men and 19.2% among women. CONCLUSIONS: Caries and periodontal disease are still the main reasons for tooth extraction in Japan. Moreover, dentists should note that fractures accounted for approximately one-fifth of permanent tooth extractions after the age of 45 years.

A Validation Study of the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan Regarding the Annual Number of Tooth Extractions Performed Across the Entire Japanese Population.

This report describes a validation study of data in the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) obtained by nationwide surveys on tooth extractions. The following 3 data sources on tooth extractions in Japan were compared: (1) the Nationwide Survey of the Reasons for Permanent Tooth Extractions in Japan (a previous survey conducted by the present authors); (2) the Statistics on Medical Care Activities in Public Health Insurance; and (3) the 4th NDB Open Data Japan. Source 1 was a nationwide survey conducted in 2018; sources 2 and 3 comprised data that are freely available for use by the public. In Source 1, 2,345 of 5,250 dentists approached responded to the questionnaire (recovery rate: 44.8%). The number of extracted teeth among younger age groups (aged 25-50 years) reported in Source 1 was lower than that in the other two sources. In contrast, the number of extracted teeth among older age groups reported in Source 1 was higher than that reported in the other two sources. However, when stratified by age group, all differences across the 3 sources regarding the mean annual number of tooth extractions were <0.05 teeth/year. The present results suggest that the NDB is a reliable resource for data on tooth extractions performed across the entire Japanese population.

Self-Reported Diabetes Mellitus and Tooth Extraction Due to Periodontal Disease and Dental Caries in the Japanese Population.

Diabetes mellitus is closely related to oral health. We aimed to determine the relationship between diabetes mellitus and tooth extraction due to periodontal disease and dental caries. Japan's second nationwide survey data collected from 4 June to 10 June 2018 was used to identify reasons for tooth extraction among patients aged > 40 years. General dentists collected information on patients who underwent tooth extraction procedures, and the presence of diabetes mellitus was determined through interviews. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the reasons for tooth extraction, including periodontal disease and dental caries. In total, 2345 dentists responded to the survey (response rate 44.8%). We analyzed data on 4625 extracted teeth from 3750 patients (1815 males and 1935 females). Among patients with self-reported diabetes mellitus, 55.4% had extractions due to periodontal disease compared to 46.7% of such extractions among those without self-reported diabetes mellitus. Self-reported diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with tooth extraction due to periodontal disease. No significant differences were observed in dental caries according to self-reported diabetes mellitus status. This study provides further evidence of a significant association between diabetes mellitus and tooth extraction due to periodontal disease.

Association between number of teeth and Alzheimer's disease using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

Associations of numbers of teeth present and of missing teeth with Alzheimer's disease were cross-sectionally analyzed using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. Dental care claims data of patients aged 60 years or older diagnosed with periodontitis (n = 4,009,345) or missing teeth (n = 662,182) were used to obtain information about the numbers of teeth present and of missing teeth, respectively, and they were combined with medical care claims data including the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Numbers of teeth present and of missing teeth excluding third molars were calculated using the dental formula in the claims for periodontitis and missing teeth, respectively, and categorized into three groups each. Percentages of subjects treated for Alzheimer's disease with 20-28, 10-19, and 1-9 teeth present were 1.95%, 3.87%, and 6.86%, respectively, in patients diagnosed as having periodontitis, and those treated for Alzheimer's disease with 1-13, 14-27, and 28 missing teeth were 2.67%, 5.51%, and 8.70%, respectively, in patients diagnosed as having missing teeth. Logistic regression models using treatment for Alzheimer's disease as an outcome variable and adjusting for age and sex showed that odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for patients with 10-19 and 1-9 teeth (reference: 20-28 teeth) were 1.11 (1.10-1.13) and 1.34 (1.32-1.37), respectively, (p<0.001), in patients diagnosed as having periodontitis, and odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for patients with 14-27 missing teeth and 28 missing teeth (reference: 1-13 missing teeth) were 1.40 (1.36-1.44) and 1.81 (1.74-1.89), respectively, (p<0.001), in patients diagnosed as having missing teeth. In conclusion, the results of the present study using Japanese dental claims data showed that older people visiting dental offices with fewer teeth present and a greater number of missing teeth are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease.

Mortality-and Health-Related Factors in a Community-Dwelling of Oldest-Older Adults at the Age of 90: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Mortality is obviously intended for epidemiological studies of community-dwelling older adults. There are several health-related factors associated with nutritional status and mortality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factor for mortality in community-dwelling oldest-older adults at the age of 90 and clarify the structure of health-related factors associated with mortality. A 10-year follow-up study was performed for 93 subjects at the age of 90. The mean and median of their survival days were 2373 and 2581 days for women, and 1694 and 1793 days for men. By Cox's proportional hazards model, health-related factors associated with mortality were self-assessed for chewing ability, activities of daily living (ADLs), serum albumin, total cholesterol, serum creatinine, and gripping power for women but not for men. These factors interacted with each other, and the association of these factors was different in women and men. Self-assessed chewing ability was a powerful risk factor for mortality in women at the age of 90. It acted independently from nutritional status. For older adults, addressing healthy food choices together with improved oral functions is useful. However, risk factors for mortality may depend on the life stage of subjects. To investigate the risk factor for the mortality, the life course approach is necessary.

Impact of the Serum Level of Albumin and Self-Assessed Chewing Ability on Mortality, QOL, and ADLs for Community-Dwelling Older Adults at the Age of 85: A 15 Year Follow up Study.

Quality of life (QOL) and mortality are true endpoints of epidemiological or medical research, especially for community-dwelling older adults. Nutritional status and activities of daily living (ADLs) are associated with QOL and mortality. Good oral health status supports a good nutritional status. The aim of this study was to elucidate the complex structure of these important health-related factors. We surveyed 354 healthy older adults at the age of 85. Nutritional status was evaluated by the serum level of albumin. QOL, ADLs, self-assessed chewing ability, serum albumin level, and mortality during the 15 year follow up period were analyzed. Self-assessed chewing ability was associated with QOL and ADLs. Self-assessed chewing ability for slight-hard foods was associated with mortality in men. However, it was not associated with the serum albumin level. The serum albumin level was associated with mortality in women. These results indicate that maintaining good oral function is not enough. Nutritional instruction in accordance with oral function is indispensable for health promotion in older adults. When planning health promotion strategies for older adults, different strategies are needed for men and women.

Workforce and Contents of Home Dental Care in Japanese Insurance System.

BACKGROUND: In Japan's super-aging society, it is required to establish a home dental service provision system. It is necessary to analyze the current state of visiting dentistry. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered postal mail questionnaire distributed to all members of the Iwate Dental Association. We analyzed the implementation status of dental care at home/nursing facilities, the number of dental clinic staff, and the contents of dental home care. Correspondence analysis, item response theory, and zero-inflated model were used for the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 354 dental clinics, 187 (52.8%) performed visiting dental care and 195 (55.1%) implemented dental care in a nursing home. Visit dentistry was mainly performed by part-time workers. Denture treatment and oral care were common treatments for dental home care. CONCLUSION: More than half of the dental clinics did not offer visiting dentistry. In order to fully provide dental visiting services, infrastructure development is necessary. Specifically, human resources are most important, even if they are part-time workers.

Effects of self-assessed chewing ability, tooth loss and serum albumin on mortality in 80-year-old individuals: a 20-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The association between dental status and mortality in community-dwelling older adults has been documented by several studies. The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of self-assessed chewing ability, number of remaining teeth and serum albumin levels to mortality and the interactions between the three factors. METHODS: A 20-year follow-up study was conducted with 666 subjects aged 80 years (from 1996 to 2017) who resided in the 8 areas served by one health center in Iwate Prefecture. Health check-ups including physical fitness measurements were conducted at a meeting place or gymnasium. Medical interview and blood sampling were conducted by physician. Oral examination was examined by dentist. The number of remaining teeth, serum albumin levels, and self-assessed chewing ability were used as predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Among the 608 subjects (233 men and 375 women) included in this study, only 12 subjects (1.97%) survived after 20 years of follow-up. For men, dental status and serum levels of albumin were significantly associated with mortality. The hazard ratios of self-assessed chewing ability calculated by item response theory analysis and the inability to chew at least one food adjusted for serum albumin and tooth conditions were statistically significant in men. When adjusted by health status evaluated by blood tests, self-assessed chewing ability was statistically significant in men. According to path analysis, self-assessed chewing ability and serum albumin independently affected mortality in men. CONCLUSION: Masticatory dysfunction may be an important risk factor for mortality in men, even though it was self-assessed. Retaining chewing ability might be a useful predictor of longevity in older male adults.

Willingness to Work and the Working Environment of Japanese Dental Hygienists.

Japanese dental hygienists' employment rate is low. The environment factors and daily job contents that contribute to willingness to work of Japanese dental hygienists and their structures were investigated. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered postal questionnaire distributed for one thousand and twenty-three members of Japan Dental Hygienist Association registered in Iwate prefecture affiliation. Three items concerning willingness to work, satisfaction for the 9 items about working environment, anxiety for work, and 106 daily job contents were used for analysis. Structural equation modeling, decision analysis, and correspondence analysis were carried out. The present study found that working environment such as interpersonal relationship was more important than social environment such as salary for the regular employee of Japanese dental hygienist working at private dental office. However, salary was only the determinant for the dental hygienist who strongly disliked their work. And daily job contents affected the willingness to work. Especially, jobs concerned with prosthodontic treatments were of major concern. Improving the working environment and avoiding assignment of tasks that require lower level of skill may improve dental hygienists' willingness to work and may assist to improve the employment rate of dental hygienist in Japan.

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva diagnosed preoperatively: A case report.

A 50-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 2) first noticed a small nodule in the right labium majus 2 years prior to the initial visit to the Hachinohe Red Cross Hospital (Hachinohe, Japan), which had gradually increased in size. On physical examination, a well-circumscribed, elastic, firm, goose egg-sized, subcutaneous mass protruding from the right labium majus was identified. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion was hypointense on T1-weighted images and was well-circumscribed, strongly enhanced and homogeneous on gadolinium-enhanced images, measuring 7.5×4 cm. The same tumor had measured 2.6 cm on an MRI performed 6 years earlier. Based on the clinical course and imaging findings, angiomyofibroblastoma was diagnosed and surgical resection of the tumor was performed. The tumor was well-circumscribed and highly vascular. The intraoperative blood loss was 70 ml. Histopathologically, the tumor cells were concentrated around blood vessels, were spindle-shaped to oval with mild atypia, and were positive for vimentin, desmin, neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), CD-34, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, and negative for S-100. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of angiomyofibroblastoma was confirmed. Angiomyofibroblastoma is a benign mesenchymal tumor that occurs in the female external genitalia. Differentiation of this tumor from aggressive angiomyxoma, a fast-growing infiltrative malignancy that occurs in the same region, may be challenging. The diagnosis of angiomyofibroblastoma is usually based on the histopathological findings of the resected specimen. The present case is of value, as the angiomyofibroblastoma was successfully diagnosed preoperatively based on the clinical course and imaging findings.

Estimation of fine-root production using rates of diameter-dependent root mortality, decomposition and thickening in forests.

Current studies indicate that fine roots of different diameter classes show different rates of decomposition. This study developed a new method to estimate fine-root production by considering the difference in the production of fine roots of two size classes, fine roots thinner than 1 mm and those between 1 and 2 mm, and their corresponding rates of decomposition. A litter bag experiment was used to estimate the decomposition rates, while the sequential soil core technique was used to identify mass values of live roots and dead roots at a given period of observation. The continuous inflow method was applied to estimate the amount of root decomposition, mortality and production with a framework of two diameter classes of fine roots and for quantification of the amount of mass transfer from the thicker fine-root class to the coarser root category (>2 mm). The results indicated that the estimate of fine-root production was greater when two size classes of fine roots were distinguished. Using a framework of two size classes developed in this study resulted in 21.3% higher fine-root production than a method that did not recognize fine-root size classes or mass transfer to the category of coarse roots. In addition, using shorter collection intervals led to higher production estimates than longer intervals. The production estimate with a 1-month interval was 21.4% higher than that with a 6-month interval. We consider that the use of the sequential soil core technique with continuous inflow estimate method by differentiating size classes of fine roots is likely to minimize the underestimation of the parameters of fine-root dynamics by accounting for decomposition and mortality of fine roots more appropriately.

Serum ionic fluoride concentrations are related to renal function and menopause status but not to age in a Japanese general population.

BACKGROUND: There have been no studies in which fasting serum ionic fluoride (SIF) concentrations in a general population were investigated despite the fact that SIF has various activities in humans. METHODS: A total of 332 healthy subjects (167 men and 165 women aged 40 to 69years) were selected from residents of 2 towns in Iwate Prefecture, Japan using sex-specific and age-specific stratified random sampling methods. Overnight fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects. Serum levels of creatinine, bone alkaline phosphatase and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were determined in one laboratory. SIF concentrations were measured using highly sensitive methods. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using serum creatinine level, age and sex. RESULTS: Mean SIF concentrations were 0.495mumol/l in men and 0.457mumol/l in women. SIF concentrations were independently related to eGFR in both sexes and to menopause status in women. SIF concentrations in women were significantly higher in the post-menopausal group than in the pre-menopausal group. CONCLUSION: SIF concentrations in middle-aged healthy subjects were increased with an age-related degeneration in renal function. SIF concentrations in post-menopausal women arise from the increased fluoride release from bone after menopause. Age is not related to SIF concentrations.