Comprehensive serum glycopeptide spectra analysis to identify early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is widely recognized as the most lethal gynecological malignancy; however, its early-stage detection remains a considerable clinical challenge. To address this, we have introduced a new method, named Comprehensive Serum Glycopeptide Spectral Analysis (CSGSA), which detects early-stage cancer by combining glycan alterations in serum glycoproteins with tumor markers. We detected 1712 glycopeptides using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry from the sera obtained from 564 patients with EOC and 1149 controls across 13 institutions. Furthermore, we used a convolutional neural network to analyze the expression patterns of the glycopeptides and tumor markers. Using this approach, we successfully differentiated early-stage EOC (Stage I) from non-EOC, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.924 in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. This method markedly outperforms conventional tumor markers, including cancer antigen 125 (CA125, 0.842) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4, 0.717). Notably, our method exhibited remarkable efficacy in differentiating early-stage ovarian clear cell carcinoma from endometrioma, achieving a ROC-AUC of 0.808, outperforming CA125 (0.538) and HE4 (0.557). Our study presents a promising breakthrough in the early detection of EOC through the innovative CSGSA method. The integration of glycan alterations with cancer-related tumor markers has demonstrated exceptional diagnostic potential.

Guideline for gynecological practice in Japan: Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2023 edition.

Twelve years after the first edition of The Guideline for Gynecological Practice, which was jointly edited by The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and The Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the 5th Revised Edition was published in 2023. The 2023 Guidelines includes 5 additional clinical questions (CQs), which brings the total to 103 CQ (12 on infectious disease, 30 on oncology and benign tumors, 29 on endocrinology and infertility and 32 on healthcare for women). Currently, a consensus has been reached on the Guidelines, and therefore, the objective of this report is to present the general policies regarding diagnostic and treatment methods used in standard gynecological outpatient care that are considered appropriate. At the end of each answer, the corresponding Recommendation Level (A, B, C) is indicated.

Tiny Hydatidiform Mole Presenting As Pregnancy of Unknown Location.

Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a condition in which a pregnancy test, such as elevation of serum or urine ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level, is rendered positive; however, intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy cannot be confirmed by transvaginal sonography (TVS). Diagnostic dilation and curettage (D&C) or laparoscopy may be performed to search for the pregnancy location. We experienced a case of PUL in which D&C was performed and histological examination revealed a tiny complete hydatidiform mole within the uterine contents. A retrospective review of the clinical course of this case, such as the evaluation of serum ß-hCG levels and TVS findings, suggested that this medical entity could be explained by a tiny hydatidiform mole. In PUL, during D&C, when abnormal villi are detected, even if the lesion is tiny, a suspicion of a hydatidiform mole should be considered by the pathologists, and immunostaining and/or chromosome testing/molecular genotyping should be subsequently performed. Whether a tiny hydatidiform mole poses a risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease requires further study based on the accumulation of cases. D&C for PUL patients may be a useful procedure to determine such diagnoses and pick up cases.

Changes in satisfaction and anxiety about radiotherapy for pediatric cancer by two-step audio-visual instruction.

Objectives: Although radiotherapy is an essential component of pediatric cancer treatment, inadequate radiotherapy information for childhood cancer and unusual treatment situations can negatively affect parental perceptions and emotions. This study aims to investigate the effect of two-step audio-visual instruction system effects introduced by our institution on parent satisfaction and anxiety when initiating radiotherapy. Methods: The two-step audio-visual instruction system comprised instructive animation using patient avatars and a live video system. The live video system has a 55-inch-wide monitor, and a no-latency sound module. Parents in the radiotherapy division can view the patient in the treatment room through the live video system. This prospective study compared satisfaction and anxiety about radiotherapy introduction before and after two-step audio-visual instruction. We enrolled 20 parents whose child underwent radiotherapy, and they completed a set of questionnaires-Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and original questionnaires about radiotherapy. Results: Satisfaction scores improved significantly after two-step audio visual instruction (25.5 ± 3.4) compared with those before the instruction (27.7 ± 3.1) (p = <0.01). Anxiety scores also decreased significantly after the instruction (50 ± 9) compared with those before the instruction (54 ± 11) (p = 0.004). However, anxiety-related personality trait scores did not change drastically before and after viewing (48 ± 8.5 vs. 49 ± 7.5) (p = 0.419). Conclusion: This single-arm prospective study indicates that two-step audio-visual instruction for radiotherapy is effective in improving parents' anxiety about radiotherapy introductions. However, large-scale and comparative studies are warranted to generalize the benefit of two-step audio visual instruction.

Medical staff's sense of awareness of informed consent for adolescent cancer patients and the need for decision-making support practiced from the perspective of trauma-informed approach.

It has not been established how to assess children's and adolescents' decision-making capacity (DMC) and there has been little discussion on the way their decision-making (DM). The purpose of this study was to examine actual situation and factors related to difficulties in explaining their disease to adolescent cancer patients or obtaining informed consent (IC). The cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. Physicians who have been treating adolescent cancer patients for at least five years answered a self-administered questionnaire uniquely developed about clinical difficulties in explaining, IC and factors related patient's refusal of medical treatment (RMT). Descriptive statistics for each item and a polychoric correlation analysis of the problems and factors related to the explanation were conducted. As a result, fifty-six physicians were participated (rate of return: 39%). Explaining the disease and treatment to patients (83.9%), IC to patients (80.4%), and explaining the disease and treatment to parents (78.6%) was particularly problematic. Difficulties to provide support related with patient's refusal of medical treatment and to explain disease and treatment for patient and parents were related to difficulties obtaining IC for the patient. Conclusion: There are clinically difficult to explain for the patient or parents and to obtain IC for the patient. It is necessary to establish a disease acceptance assessment tool for the adolescence generation so that it can be applied in the field.

Reduced expression of gangliosides with GM2-determinant in cervical carcinoma-derived cells after subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice.

Human cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines have been frequently found to contain gangliosides with GM2-determinant, i.e., GM2, GalNAc-GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a, but GM2 was only detected in 5 of 15 tissues, and GalNAc-GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a were not found in any tissues from patients with several histological types of cervical carcinomas. To further characterize the ganglioside expression in cervical carcinomas, cells were grown by subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice, and gangliosides were quantitated by TLC-immunostaining with the anti-GM2 (YHD-06) antibody and a newly developed anti-GM3 (5H6) antibody, which reacts with GM3 and GM1b, but not with GD1a. Gangliosides with GM2-determinant in cells disappeared in transplanted cells, and the amount of GM3, a precursor for GM2, in transplanted cells was greater than in cultured cells. Also, transplanted cells containing GalNAc-GM1b newly expressed GM1b, suggesting that the activity of GalNAc transferase for synthesis of GalNAc-GM1b is retarded on subcutaneous transplantation. The ganglioside composition, with GM3 as the major one, in the transplanted cells was similar to that in cervical carcinoma tissues, and thus, the expression of gangliosides with GM2-determinant seemed to be accelerated under cell-cultivation conditions.

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a psychosocial support program for adolescent and young adult cancer patients in clinical practice: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYAs) often experience profound psychological distress, with various unmet supportive care needs that can be alleviated with appropriate screening and attention by healthcare workers. The Distress Thermometer and Problem List-Japanese version (DTPL-J) is our previously developed screening tool to facilitate individual support of AYAs. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a psychosocial support program based on the DTPL-J for AYAs in clinical practice. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included 19 of 126 wards and 9 of 75 outpatient clinics at 8 institutions in Japan. Over 200 patients were expected to participate during the eligibility period. Patients participated in a support program at least once, and approximately once a month based on the DTPL-J results. The program was evaluated using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) implementation framework. RESULTS: The screening rate of the 361 participants was 90.3%, suggesting high feasibility. Distress Thermometer scores, the number of supportive care needs, and the rates of AYAs with high distress were significantly reduced 1 month after screening (p < 0.05), suggesting the preliminary effectiveness of the program. The program was continued at the 8 institutions as part of routine care after the study. CONCLUSION: Analysis using the RE-AIM suggested the sufficient feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a psychosocial support program based on the DTPL-J for AYAs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) UMIN000042857. Registered 25 December 2020-Retrospectively registered.

Effect of biotin supplementation in infant formula: A multi-center study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: This non-randomized intervention study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing infant formula with biotin on biotin metabolism and on development. METHODS: We enrolled healthy Japanese infants (n = 84) and assigned them to groups offered Formula A (total biotin, 0.5 µg/100 kcal) or Formula B (total biotin, 2.4 µg/100 kcal) until they were 6 months of age, and completed an additional follow up to age 36 months. Urinary biotin concentrations were measured at 1 and 6 months, and were compared among breast-fed, Formula A-fed, and Formula B-fed infants at each age. In a follow-up subgroup analysis, we compared scores on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, version 3 (ASQ-3), from 9 to 36 months among infants continuously fed Formula A, Formula B, or breastmilk. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred during the intervention period. At 1 month, urinary biotin concentrations were highest in Formula B-fed infants and lowest in Formula A-fed infants. At 6 months, Formula B-fed infants retained higher biotin levels than Formula A-fed and breast-fed infants. Both differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The breast-fed, Formula A-fed, and Formula B-fed groups had similar ASQ scores at 9-36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Biotin supplementation of infant formula contributed to improving biotin status in formula-fed infants. The results support the official approval of the use of biotin in infant formula by the government of Japan in 2014.

Nucleation experiments on a titanium-carbon system imply nonclassical formation of presolar grains.

Just as the shapes of snowflakes provide us with information on the temperature and humidity of the upper atmosphere, the characteristics of presolar grains in meteorites place limits on their formation environment in a stellar outflow. However, even in the case of well-characterized presolar grains consisting of a titanium carbide core and a graphitic carbon mantle, it is not possible to delimit their formation environment. Here, we have demonstrated the formation of core-mantle grains in gravitational and microgravity environments and have found that core-mantle grains are formed by a nonclassical nucleation pathway involving the three steps: (i) primary nucleation of carbon at a substantially high supersaturation, (ii) heterogeneous condensation of titanium carbide on the carbon, and (iii) fusion of nuclei. We argue that the characteristics of not only core-mantle grains but also other presolar and solar grains might be accurately explained by considering a nonclassical nucleation pathway.

Relationship between high trait anxiety in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and the difficulties in medical, welfare, and educational services.

Aim: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with a high prevalence of mental health comorbidities. However, not enough attention has been paid to the elevated prevalence of high trait anxiety that begins early in life and may be enduring. We sought to identify specific medical, welfare, or educational difficulties associated with high trait anxiety in 22q11DS. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted for the parents of 22q11DS individuals (N = 125). First, a multiple regression analysis was conducted to confirm the hypothesis that high trait anxiety in individuals with 22q11DS would be associated with parents' psychological distress. This was based on 19 questionnaire options regarding what difficulties the parents currently face about their child's disease, characteristics, and traits. Next, we explored what challenges faced in medical, welfare, and educational services would be associated with the trait anxiety in their child. Results: The multiple regression analysis confirmed that the high trait anxiety was significantly associated with parental psychological distress (ß = 0.265, p = 0.018) among the 19 clinical/personal characteristics of 22q11DS. Furthermore, this characteristic was associated with various difficulties faced in the medical care, welfare, and education services, and the parent-child relationship. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to clarify quantitatively how the characteristic of high anxiety level in 22q11DS individuals is related to the caregivers' perceived difficulties in medical, welfare, and educational services. These results suggest the necessity of designing service structures informed of the fact that high trait anxiety is an important clinical feature of the syndrome.

A Recurrent Mucinous Neoplasm Originating From an Ovarian Mucinous Cystadenoma After an Adnexectomy As the First Procedure: A Case Report.

Ovarian mucinous cystadenomas are benign, but they can rarely recur if incompletely excised. We are the very first to report a case of recurrent mucinous neoplasm originating from an ovarian mucinous cystadenoma after adnexectomy as the first procedure. A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a two-year history of abdominal fullness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a pelvi-abdominal cyst measuring 37 cm, without solid components within the cyst. A laparotomy revealed a huge cystic tumor originating from the right ovary. A right adnexectomy was performed without intraoperative cyst rupture or spillage. Histologically, the cyst was diagnosed as a mucinous cystadenoma. A month after the operation, ultrasonography revealed a cystic lesion measuring 1.8 cm adjacent to the right side of the uterine body. During the follow-up every three months, the cyst enlarged gradually, and an MRI performed 42 months after the operation revealed a cystic mass measuring 5.5 cm, including an internal protrusion. The second laparotomy revealed a cystic mass arising from the right surface of the uterine body, and a total hysterectomy and left adnexectomy were performed. Histologically, this uterine tumor was diagnosed as a mucinous borderline tumor that recurred from the ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. On histological examination of the resected uterus, the silken threads used at the first operation were observed in proximity to the tumor lesion. We speculated that the reason for the recurrence of our case may be the uterine-side remanence of the mucinous tumor cells from the first operation. Because the utero-ovarian ligament became short due to the large ovarian cyst, adnexectomy as a first procedure may be insufficient. A close follow-up of these patients is required for early detection of the recurrence, and attention is necessary for patients having malignant transformation due to an adenoma-borderline-malignant sequence of ovarian mucinous tumors.

Time trends in emotional well-being and self-esteem in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Given their unique COVID-19 pandemic experience, it is necessary to evaluate the mental health of youth beyond the initial stages of the pandemic, in relation to the stringency of the social distancing measures. We aimed to describe long-term trends in emotional well-being and self-esteem among youth in Japan during the pandemic. METHOD: Using serial cross-sectional data from April 2020 to December 2021, we evaluated the trends in emotional well-being and self-esteem of youth aged 6-17 years using the self-report KINDL questionnaire, weighted to represent the age and gender distributions in the Japanese population. We then tested the associations between emotional well-being and self-esteem and stringency of social distancing policies, measured using the Oxford COVID-19 Stringency Index. Analyses were also stratified by gender and age group. RESULTS: The emotional well-being and self-esteem of youth improved transiently in 2020, followed by a slight worsening trend into 2021. While emotional well-being stayed lower compared to initial levels nearly 2 years into the pandemic, self-esteem began to improve by late 2021. 12-17 year-olds had lower emotional well-being and self-esteem compared to 6-11 year-olds throughout the study period. Females had lower emotional well-being than males in May 2020 and lower self-esteem than males in May and September/October 2020. More stringent social distancing measures were associated with lower emotional well-being and self-esteem, especially 6-11 year-olds' self-esteem and females' emotional well-being. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, older youth tended to have lower emotional well-being and self-esteem than younger youth. Younger and female youth were especially vulnerable to stringent social distancing measures.

Effects of artificial intelligence aibo intervention on alleviating distress and fear in children.

BACKGROUND: Procedures and actions such as injections and immobilization cause distress to children. In the pediatric field, there is a need for interventions and support to alleviate the pain and distress caused by such medical procedures. In recent years, the introduction of robots as a means of distraction has begun to be attempted. METHODS: In this study, we conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of intervention using 'aibo', a dog-like robot which has artificial intelligence (AI), to promote distraction in children after vaccination. Children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old eligible for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and their caregivers were assigned to intervention group or control group. Then, children evaluated their pain and children's behavior were observed by observer. The mean values of Faces pain rating scale scores and observer pain scale scores were compared between groups using an unpaired t-test. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children (32 in the intervention group) participated in the study. Results of a t-test with the control group showed that the intervention group using aibo had significantly less pain following the post-vaccination intervention than the control group using stuffed dog (Face Scale, t(55) = 2.582, p = .0125; Behavioral Observation Scale, t(55) = 2.772, p = .00759). The results support the hypothesis that the aibo intervention group will be less distressed and able to calm down more quickly after vaccination than the control group. CONCLUSION: Interactive communicative play intervention by an artificially intelligent aibo before and after painful and frightening medical procedures may alleviate fear and anxiety and prevent medical trauma in children.

[Transitions Rooted in the Protection of Children's Rights: Focusing on Developmental Disabilities].

In the practice of health care transition, it is important to remember that transitional care does not exist for the convenience of the medical institution, but it exists to provide the best care for a patient as he or she becomes an adult. Changes in family relationships and role functions are also significant in order to help a child become independent. In this section, we will discuss the concepts that are necessary to realize better transitional care in all areas.

Medical, welfare, and educational challenges and psychological distress in parents caring for an individual with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: A cross-sectional survey in Japan.

Parents of children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) experience distress not only due to multimorbidity in the patients, but also due to professionals' lack of understanding about 22q11DS and insufficient support systems. This study investigated relationships between medical, welfare, and educational challenges and parental psychological distress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on primary caregivers of children with 22q11DS. Participants included 125 parents (114 mothers, 91.2%; average age = 44.3 years) who reported their challenges, psychological distress, and child's comorbidities of 22q11DS. Results showed that the difficulty in going to multiple medical institutions (ß = 0.181, p < 0.05) and lack of understanding by welfare staff and insufficient welfare support systems for 22q11DS (ß = 0.220-0.316, all p < 0.05) were associated with parental psychological distress, even after adjusting for child's comorbidities. In the subsample of parents whose child attended an educational institution, inadequate management in classroom and mismatch between service and users in educational settings were associated with psychological distress (ß = 0.222-0.296, all p < 0.05). This study reveals the importance of assessing not only severity of comorbidities in 22q11DS, but also the medical, welfare, and educational challenges for parental mental health.