AimsTargeted therapies for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) rely on the detection of specific genomic lesions, such as mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. The Biocartis Idylla platform and single-use EGFR mutation test cartridge is CE-IVD for use with formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumour material, but can also function off-scope using extracted DNA as input material. This can expand the utility of the platform and potentially conserve valuable tissue.MethodsWe sought to evaluate the performance of this system to detect known EGFR mutations using extracted DNA at different input levels. 130 next generation sequencing-characterised NSCLC cases possessing EGFR mutations that were theoretically detectable by the Idylla system were selected. Replicate analyses were performed using the Idylla EGFR test with up to three different DNA input levels (20 ng, 50 ng and 250 ng).ResultsConsidering only variants within the test manufacturer’s specified scope, the Idylla EGFR test generated concordant findings for 90.77% of cases at 20 ng DNA input, 98.46% at 50 ng input and 100% at 250 ng input. Analyses with discordant findings all generated control quantification cycle (CQ) values greater than 23. Very low CQ values were associated with EGFR gene amplification.ConclusionsThe Idylla EGFR Mutation Test can be used at least as well with pre-extracted DNA than with direct FFPE input. In cases with control CQ >23, reanalysis with an increased DNA input should ideally be undertaken. If this is not possible, the risk of false negative calls may be mitigated by manual review of the quantitative PCR data and/or by reflexing to alternative analysis options.

Orthographic neighbourhood size (N) effects differ under lateralized presentation. Evidence suggests a facilitatory effect of N in the right hemisphere. However, the effect of N in the left hemisphere remains controversial: it may have a weaker facilitative role or it may even be inhibitory. In a pre-registered online experiment, we aimed to replicate the interaction between N and visual field and provide support for an inhibitory effect of N in the left hemisphere. We subsequently conducted a pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the available evidence and determine the direction of N effects across hemispheres. Based on the evidence, it would seem the effect is inhibitory in the left hemisphere. Furthermore, the size of the N effect is considerably smaller in the left hemisphere. Both studies revealed vast heterogeneity between participants and studies, and we consider the implications of this for future work.

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