Steric Effects on the Photovoltaic Performance of Panchromatic Ruthenium Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Three new heteroleptic Ru complexes, CYC-B22, CYC-B23C, and CYC-B23T, were prepared as sensitizers for coadsorbent-free, panchromatic, and efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. They are simultaneously functionalized with highly conjugated anchoring and ancillary ligands to explore the electronic and steric effects on their photovoltaic characteristics. The coadsorbent-free device based on CYC-B22 achieved the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.63% and a panchromatic response extending to 850 nm. The two stereoisomers, CYC-B23C and CYC-B23T coordinated with an unsymmetrical anchoring ligand, display similar absorption properties and the same driving forces for electron injection as well as dye regeneration. Nevertheless, the devices show not only the remarkably distinct PCE (6.64% vs 8.38%) but also discernible stability. The molecular simulation for the two stereoisomers adsorbed on TiO2 clarifies the distinguishable distances (16.9 Å vs 19.0 Å) between the sulfur atoms in the NCS ligands and the surface of the TiO2, dominating the charge recombination dynamics and iodine binding and therefore the PCE and stability of the devices. This study on the steric effects caused by the highly conjugated and unsymmetrical anchoring ligand on the adsorption geometry and photovoltaic performance of the dyes paves a new way for advancing the molecular design of polypyridyl metal complex sensitizers.

Consistency in human papillomavirus type detection between self-collected vaginal specimens and physician-sampled cervical specimens.

With the rising need for accessible cervical cancer screening, self-sampling methods offer a promising alternative to traditional physician-led sampling. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the HygeiaTouch Self Sampling Kit for Women in detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) types and predicting cervical lesions. We studied the concordance in identifying high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types between samples collected by physicians and those self-collected by women using a self-sampling kit for validation. Women aged 21-65, fitting into specific categories based on their cervical health history were eligible. Cohen's kappa coefficient to gauge concordance between the two specimen types and relative accuracy metrics in identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were also calculated, with physician-sampled specimens serving as a reference. A total of 1210 participants from three institutes were involved. The self-sampling kit closely matched the physician-led method in terms of collecting valid specimens (100% vs. 100%), identifying hrHPV types (kappa: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.72-0.79; agreement: 87.7%, 95% CI: 85.8-89.6) and predicting CIN grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) (relative sensitivity: 0.949, relative accuracy: 0.959). Kappa values varied between 0.71 and 0.83 for different hrHPV types and combinations, with an overall value 0.75 (95% CI: 0.72-0.79) signifying robust compatibility between the two methods. Our study underscores the potential of the HygeiaTouch Self Sampling Kit as a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly alternative to traditional sampling methods. This suggests that self-sampling could be pivotal in expanding cervical cancer screening accessibility and enhancing detection rates.

Multiple lines of evidence supports the two varieties of Halenia elliptica (Gentianaceae) as two species.

Delimiting species requires multiple sources of evidence. Here, we delimited two varieties of Halenia elliptica (Gentianaceae) using several lines of evidence, including morphological traits and mating system in a sympatric population, phylogenetic relationships based on nrITS and cpDNA (rpl16) data, and complete chloroplast genome sequences. Comparative analysis of 21 morphological traits clearly separates the two varieties of H. elliptica. Examination of the flowering process and pollination treatments indicate that H. elliptica var. grandiflora produces seeds via outcrossing, whereas H. elliptica var. elliptica produces seeds via mixed mating. Furthermore, hand-pollinated hybridization of the two varieties produced no seeds. Observations of pollinators showed that when bees began a pollination bout on H. elliptica var. grandiflora they preferred to continue pollinating this variety; however, when they began a pollination bout on H. elliptica var. elliptica, they showed no preference for either variety. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of H. elliptica, which was further divided into two monophyletic clades corresponding to the two varieties. A large number of variants from the chloroplast genomes reflected remarkable genetic dissimilarities between the two varieties of H. elliptica. We recommend that the two varieties of H. elliptica should be revised as two species (H. elliptica and H. grandiflora). Our findings indicate that H. elliptica varieties may have split into two separate species due to a shift in mating system, changes in flowering phenology and/or post-pollination reproductive isolation.

Predicting Long-Term Prognoses and Grading Platinum Sensitivity Using a Novel Progression-Free Interval Criterion in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Cohort Study.

This large-scale study aimed to determine the long-term influences of potential prognostic predictors and progression-free interval (PFI) criteria for grading platinum-sensitivity in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of OCCC patients presenting at nine tertiary centres (1995−2015), and evaluated patient characteristics, therapeutic factors, clinical outcomes, and hazard ratios for disease progression and death. We enrolled 536 patients (median follow-up, 36.6 months) and developed newly defined distributions of PFIs (seven and 14 months) for grading platinum sensitivity. In the multivariate model, preoperative CA125 levels and chemo-response independently predicted early-stage progression-free survival (PFS) risk. Post-progression cytoreduction correlated with reduced mortality risk. No unfavourable outcomes were observed with respect to coexisting endometriosis, fertility-sparing strategies, or platinum-based regimens. A PFI of <7 months, the strongest predictor of both post-progression mortality and second relapse risks, correlated with chemo-resistance, advanced tumour stage, and shortened post-progression survival. Chemotherapy regimens commonly used in front-line or relapse settings were limited in improving prognoses, especially in the advanced-stage cohort. Clinical trials of novel targeted agents and/or innovative biomarkers for chemoresistance should be comprehensively investigated and offered early to advanced-stage patients or those with OCCC progression occurring within seven months after receiving chemotherapy.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: To investigate outcomes and morbidity of patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in recurrent ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2014 and January 2019, a total of 51 recurrent ovarian cancer patients receiving secondary CRS and HIPEC were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients, median peritoneal cancer index score was 13 (range 3-34), and completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score of 0/1 was achieved in 41 patients (78.8%). Regimen of HIPEC included cisplatin and paclitaxel in 39 (75%) cases. The median follow-up duration of survivors was 20.2 months. Sixteen (30.8%) patients remained free of recurrence after HIPEC. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11.8 months and 34.5 months respectively. Multivariate analysis showed previous chemotherapy <2 lines (HR 0.24, 0.11-0.52; p = 0.001), chemotherapy-free interval ≥6 months (HR 0.19, 0.09-0.37; p < 0.001) and CA125 < 35 U/mL before HIPEC (HR 0.133, 0.021-0.0832; p = 0.031) were good prognostic factors for PFS. CC0/1 was not significant in multivariate analysis. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was anemia (17.3%), pleural effusion (11.5%) and renal insufficiency (5.7%). Patients with age ≥50, peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) ≥ 11, operation time ≥10 h and diaphragm surgery had significantly higher incidence of pleural effusion. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed adding HIPEC to secondary CRS might prolong PFS especially in patients with previous chemotherapy <2 lines, chemotherapy-free interval ≥6 months and CA125 < 35 U/mL before HIPEC.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Dinalbuphine Sebacate, Patient-Controlled Analgesia, and Conventional Analgesia After Laparotomy for Gynecologic Cancers: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of dinalbuphine sebacate (DNS), fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and conventional analgesia (CA) for pain management after laparotomy for gynecologic cancers. METHODS: A total of 137 eligible patients who underwent laparotomy through a midline incision wound for gynecologic cancer between July 2019 and June 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into three groups as follows: the intramuscular DNS, intravenous PCA, and CA groups. Postoperative pain (POP) intensity as measured with a numerical rating scale (NRS), total consumption of analgesics, and incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: The DNS group showed significant reduction in NRS pain intensity than the PCA and CA groups on day 1 (4.8 vs 6.2, p < 0.01 and 6.2, p < 0.05, respectively), day 2 (3.0 vs 4.7, p < 0.01 and 4.8, p < 0.001, respectively), day 3 (2.0 vs 3.9, p < 0.001 and 3.5, p < 0.001, respectively), day 4 (1.1 vs 3.1, p < 0.001 and 2.9, p < 0.001, respectively), and day 5 (0.7 vs 2.3, p < 0.001 and 2.4, p < 0.001, respectively). The total consumption of morphine equivalents per day was similar between the DNS and PCA groups (142.8 ± 7.3 mg vs 137.7 ± 70.0 mg, p = 0.8032) and lowest in the CA group (11.7 ± 30.7 mg, p < 0.0001). The overall safety profile was comparable between the DNS, PCA, and CA groups. The patients in the DNS group complained less of dizziness postoperatively than those in the PCA group (27% vs 47%) and had less nausea than those in the CA group (13% vs 33%). CONCLUSION: A single DNS injection was more effective for relieving POP than PCA and CA in the patients who had a longitudinal incision for gynecologic cancer surgery. DNS was well tolerated and had less adverse effects than PCA and CA.

Postoperative adjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy with bevacizumab and maintenance bevacizumab after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer: A phase II AGOG/TGOG trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adding bevacizumab to dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab maintenance after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) for stage III/IV ovarian, tubal, and primary peritoneal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This phase II clinical trial using Simon's minimax two-stage design was conducted. At the first stage, 13 subjects were enrolled, and the trial would proceed to second stage if ≤3 subjects discontinued treatment for study-defined significant adverse events (AEs). Patients with stage III/IV ovarian, tubal, and primary peritoneal cancer deemed not feasible for primary cytoreductive surgery were enrolled after 3-4 cycles of NAC and IDS without disease progression. NAC could be either weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) (dose-dense) plus 3-weekly carboplatin (AUC5-6) or 3-weekly conventional schedule. After IDS, postoperative dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy for 3 cycles at least (best to 6 cycles), and 3-weekly bevacizumab 15 mg/kg was given since postoperative cycle 2. Further 3-weekly maintenance bevacizumab 15 mg/kg was given intravenously for 17 cycles. RESULTS: Of the 22 enrolled subjects, 13 (59.1 %) had no gross lesion after IDS. Of the 13 subjects enrolled on the 1 st stage, one study-defined significant AE occurred, therefore the trial proceeded to the 2nd stage (n = 9). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 22.1 months (95 % confidence interval [CI], 13.7-30.5), and the median overall survival (OS) was 49.2 months (95 % CI, 33.8-64.6). Peritoneal Cancer Index score at entering abdomen during IDS was significant for PFS (>12 vs ≤ 12: p = 0.003). One of the 22 subjects did not receive any study treatment. In the safety analysis (n = 21), grade 3/4 AEs included thrombocytopenia of 38.1 %, neutropenia 71.4 %, and anemia 28.6 %. Study-defined significant AEs of bowel perforation, poor-healing wound, and hypertension were found in 1 case each, respectively. CONCLUSION: This phase II trial demonstrated adding bevacizumab to dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab maintenance after NAC was feasible with tolerable toxicity and comparable PFS/OS as compared to other studies using bevacizumab in the NAC phase or dose-dense scheduling throughout.

Role of human papillomavirus status after conization for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the well-established etiologic factor for cervical neoplasia. Cervical conization constitutes an effective treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-CIN). We conducted an observational study for long-term outcomes and HPV genotype changes after conization for HG-CIN. Between 2008 and 2014, patients with newly diagnosed HG-CIN before conization (surveillance new [SN] group) and those who had undergone conization without hysterectomy (surveillance previous [SP] group) were enrolled. HPV testing and Pap smear were performed periodically for the SN and SP (collectively S) groups. All other patients receiving conization for HG-CIN during the study period were identified from our hospital database. Those eligible but not enrolled into our study were assigned to the non-surveillance (non-S) group. For the S group (n = 493), the median follow-up period was 74.3 months. Eighty-four cases had recurrent CIN Grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) (5-year cumulative rate: 14.8%), of which six had invasive cancer. Among the 84 patients, 65 (77.4%) exhibited type-specific persistence in the paired HPV results, whereas only 7 (8.3%) harbored new HPV types that belonged to the 9-valent vaccine types. Among the 7397 non-S patients, 789 demonstrated recurrent CIN2+, of which 57 had invasive cancer. The stages distribution of those progressed to invasive cancer in the non-S group were more advanced than the S group (P = .033). Active surveillance might reduce the severity of those progressed to cancer. Because a majority of the patients with recurrent CIN2+ had persistent type-specific HPV infections, effective therapeutic vaccines are an unmet medical need.

Management and clinical outcomes of patients with recurrent/progressive ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) with recurrence/progression after treatment has dismal prognosis. We aimed to investigate the management and outcomes of such patients. METHODS: OCCC patients who were treated between 2000 and 2013 with cancer recurrence or progression after primary treatment were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of survival after recurrence (SAR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: A total of 64 patients experienced treatment failure (49 recurred after remission and 15 progressed without remission). The 5-year CSS rates of recurrent/progressive OCCC patients were 22.9% (progression group: median CSS 5.9 months [range, 0.8-25.2] vs recurrence group: 43.6 months [range, 7.1-217.8]; p < 0.001). Patients with solitary recurrence had significantly better SAR than those with disseminated relapse (median: not reached vs 10.4 months, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, six models each for SAR and CSS were formulated alternatively including highly correlated variables for the recurrence group. Of these models, solitary relapse pattern (HR: 0.07, p < 0.001), progression-free interval (PFI) > 12 months (HR: 0.22-0.40, p = 0.001 and p = 0.023), CA125 < 35 U/mL at initial recurrence (HR: 0.32, p = 0.007), and overall salvage treatment including radiotherapy (HR: 0.19, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of favorable SAR. The same significant predictors were selected for CSS. CONCLUSION: Recurrent OCCC can be treated with curative intent if the relapse is solitary and can be completely resected or encompassed with radiotherapy, whereas novel therapies are needed for disseminated relapse or progression during primary treatment.

Treatment outcomes of patients with stage II pure endometrioid-type endometrial cancer: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG-2006) retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Choice of hysterectomy and adjuvant treatment for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) is still controversial. Aims of this study were to evaluate survival benefits and adverse effects of different hysterectomies with or without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: The patients at 14 member hospitals of the Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group from 1992 to 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Patients were divided into simple hysterectomy (SH) alone, SH with RT, radical hysterectomy (RH) alone, and RH with RT groups. Endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), adverse effects and prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: Total of 246 patients were enrolled. The 5-year RFS, OS, DSS and recurrence rates for the entire cohort were 89.5%, 94.3%, 96.2% and 10.2%, respectively. Patients receiving RH had more adverse effects including blood loss (p<0.001), recurrent urinary tract infections (p=0.013), and leg lymphedema (p=0.038). Age over 50-year (HR=9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2-70.9) and grade 3 histology (HR=7.28; 95% CI=1.45-36.6) were independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 histology was an independent predictor of RFS (HR=5.13; 95% CI=1.38-19.1) and DSS (HR=5.97; 95% CI=1.06-58.7). Patients receiving adjuvant RT had lower locoregional recurrence (p=0.046), but no impact on survival. CONCLUSION: Different treatment modalities yield similar survival outcomes. Patients receiving SH with RT had lower locoregional recurrent with acceptable morbidity. Age and tumor grading remained significant predictors for survival among patients with FIGO 2009 stage II EEC.

Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study.

OBJECTIVE: The malignant transformation (MT) of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare. This study analyzed cases from multiple medical centers in Taiwan to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of this disease and reviewed related literature. METHODS: Pathological reports of 16,001 patients with primary ovarian cancer who were treated at Taiwan medical centers from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. In total, 52 patients with MT of MCT to SCC were identified. RESULTS: Among all ovarian MCTs, the incidence of MT to SCC is 0.2%. The median age of patients was 52 years (range, 29-89 years), and the mean tumor size was 10.5 cm (range, 1-40 cm). We analyzed the patients in our study and those in the literature and determined that early identification and complete surgical resection of the tumor are essential for long-term survival. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy can be used to treat this malignancy. Old age, large tumor size (≥15.0 cm), and solid components in MCTs are suitable indicators predicting the risk of MT of MCT to SCC. CONCLUSION: Similar to general epithelial ovarian cancers, the early detection of MT of MCT to SCC is critical to long-term survival. Therefore, older patients with a large tumor or those with a tumor containing a solid component in a clinically diagnosed MCT should be evaluated to exclude potential MT to SCC.

Outcomes and prognoses of patients with ovarian cancer using bevacizumab: 6-year experience in a tertiary care hospital of northern Taiwan.

PURPOSE: Bevacizumab (BEV) has been used for ovarian cancer (OC) for years in Taiwan, but the associated data related to outcome is scant. This retrospective study reviewed patients with OC treated with BEV and analyzed their results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with OC treated with BEV from 2009 to 2015 in the Linkou branch of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Northern Taiwan were included. According to the means of administration, the patients were classified into 6 groups as follows: A-BEV plus chemotherapy (C/T) for initial platinum-resistant (PR) recurrent OC, B-BEV plus C/T for initial platinum-sensitive (PS) recurrent OC, C-BEV alone for recurrent OC, D-BEV plus 1st adjuvant C/T, E-BEV plus neoadjuvant C/T, and F-intraperitoneal (IP) BEV. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), hazard ratios (HRs), overall response rate (ORR), and mean number of BEV cycles were analyzed for groups A to E. Clinical improvement of ascites was assessed for group F. RESULTS: A comparison of early use (only one round of prior C/T) versus late use (multiple rounds of prior C/T) in patients of groups A and B showed a superior PFS (8.27 vs. 3.67, p = 0.037) in the early use group. No significant differences were found between groups A and B (PFS: 4.24 vs. 4.17 months, p = 0.690; OS: 10.06 vs. 9.93 months, p = 0.819; mean BEV cycles: 4.63 vs. 5.0 p = 0.992; ORR: 48.1% vs. 53.5%, p = 0.425). Comparing the response and non-response subgroups of patients in groups A and B, a better outcome was associated with endometrioid type cell (HR = 0.28, p = 0.008), good ECOG performance status (HR = 0.51, p = 0.005), and lack of ascites (HR = 0.67, p = 0.004). Comparing group C with groups A plus B, the BEV alone group had a poorer PFS (1.02 VS. 4.19, p = 0.04) and OS (1.42 VS. 9.99 p = 0.001) than the BEV plus C/T group. In group F, a good clinical benefit rate (85.6%) of ascites improvement was noted. Two patients had grade 5 gastrointestinal bleeding and venous/arterial thromboembolic events after administration of BEV. Grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in our study. CONCLUSION: Early use of BEV combined with chemotherapy had a significant benefit in PFS for patients with recurrent OC. BEV plus chemotherapy was better than BEV alone for recurrent OC. In addition, IP BEV was helpful for improving clinical ascites.

Positron emission tomography in the management of documented or suspected recurrent ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: To prospectively evaluate the value of positron emission tomography (PET) or integrated computed tomography (CT) and PET (PET/CT) in the management of documented or suspected recurrent ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with ovarian cancer who had completed primary cytoreductive surgery and standard adjuvant chemotherapy were studied to evaluate the following indications: (1) CA125 elevation after complete remission with negative CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) result; (2) post-therapy surveillance CT/MRI-detected suspicious lesions that guided biopsy was not feasible; (3) documented relapse for restaging prior to or after curative salvage therapy. The clinical impact of PET, as compared with those of CT/MRI, was determined on a per scan basis. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2009, 73 patients were recruited, and 92 PET scans were performed. Up to June 2015, 53 patients had died of disease, four were alive with disease, and the remaining 16 were alive without disease. Among the 92 scans, PET had positive impacts in 72.8%, no clinical impacts in 21.7%, and negative impacts in 5.4%. For indication 1, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of PET in detecting recurrence were 80.0% and 92.3%, respectively. For indication 2, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET were 91.2%, 62.5%, 91.2%, and 62.5%, respectively. For indication 3, PET provided positive impact in 85.3% and negative impact in 2.9% of the 34 scans. CONCLUSION: PET has value in the management of suspected or documented recurrent ovarian cancer, with positive impacts on confirming recurrent status and offering a better treatment plan.

Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Weekly Paclitaxel and Cisplatin Followed by Radical Hysterectomy in Stages IB2 and IIA2 Cervical Cancer.

PURPOSE: To define the optimal dose of paclitaxel combining cisplatin, as weekly neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for early-stage bulky squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: A prospective trial was conducted for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IB2 and IIA2 cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients with magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography-defined lymph node negative. Weekly fixed-dose cisplatin (40 mg/m) and 4-level dose escalation of paclitaxel (50, 60, 70, 80 mg/m) for 3 courses was given and followed by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (RH-PLND) 14 to 28 days later. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was tailored according to pathologic response. RESULTS: No dose-limiting toxicity occurred. Twelve subjects were enrolled without reaching maximum tolerated dose, nor was any RH-PLND procedure delayed for >2 weeks. Pathologic response rate was 50% (complete in 2 and partial in 4). Paclitaxel dose level seemed unrelated to pathologic response. No subjects had grade ≥3 acute adverse events. Seven patients (58.3%) received postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Patients with human papillomavirus 16-negative tumor and aged 55 years and older had marginally higher risk (100%) of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiation after NAC than those with human papillomavirus 16-positive or age less than 55 (P=0.081). With a median follow-up of 45.5 months, all 12 patients remained alive without disease. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel and cisplatin NAC for 3 courses can be tolerated with excellent short-term outcome. With the caveat of small number of patients, this study supports future phase II trials of weekly paclitaxel and cisplatin NAC for 4 to 5 cycles.

Self-sampling HPV test in women not undergoing Pap smear for more than 5 years and factors associated with under-screening in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Under-utilization of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear causes a gap in the prevention of cervical neoplasms. A prospective population-based study was conducted investigating whether a self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) test was feasible for under-users of Pap smear and factors associated with under-screening in Taiwan. METHODS: Women not having Pap smear screening for > 5 years were invited to participate in this study. Invitation letters and educational brochures were mailed to 4% of randomly selected eligible women from Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and responders received an HPV self-sampling kit. Those with HPV-positive results were recalled for a Pap smear and colposcopy. RESULTS: Between March 2010 and June 2012, 10,693 women were invited, 354 responded (3.3%), and 282 (2.6%) gave valid informed consent, answered the questionnaire, and submitted HPV samples. The median age of enrolled women was 48.1 years. Forty-seven women (16.7%) had a positive HPV test, and 14 women accepted further survey to find two CIN2+. Another two cases of CIN2+ were identified from a national registry database. The cost of direct mailing self-samplers was less than that done on request (from NT$434,866 to NT$164,229, response rate of 5% to 15%, respectively, versus NT$683,957 for detecting 1 CIN2+). Reasons for not attending screening included lack of time, embarrassment, assumed low risk, fear of positive results, and perceived potential pain. Among the responders, 90.8% found the method acceptable. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that different approaches (e.g., direct mailing self-samplers to under-users and/or various educational interventions) must be explored to improve coverage in populations with culture characteristics similar to Taiwan.

(18)F-FDG PET in small-cell cervical cancer: a prospective study with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Small-cell cervical cancer (SCCC) is rare and prone to metastasize. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of (18)F-FDG PET in the management of this aggressive malignancy. METHODS: Patients with untreated primary, histologically confirmed SCCC were enrolled. (18)F-FDG PET (or PET/CT) was performed immediately after MRI or CT, for primary staging, monitoring response to treatment or restaging when there was suspicion of recurrence. The clinical impact of PET was determined on a scan basis. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were recruited and 43 PET scans were performed. The PET images were obtained for primary staging (25 patients), monitoring response (10 patients) and restaging when there was suspicion of recurrence (8 patients). The median follow-up time in event-free patients was 109.3 months (range 97.5 - 157.7 months). A positive impact of PET was found in 8 (18.6 %) of the 43 scans, which included detection of additional regions of distal lymph node (LN) metastasis (one primary staging scan, two restaging scans), bone metastasis (two primary staging scans, one monitoring response scan), and exclusion of false-positive lesions on MRI (one primary staging scan, one restaging scan). On the other hand, one negative impact was recorded as one false-positive lesion on a restaging PET scan. One positive impact was noted for monitoring response (bone metastasis). The impact of three scans was indeterminate. The positive impact of down-staging in avoiding overtreatment but finding additional distal LN (except one on restaging) or bone metastases had no beneficial effect on long-term survival. CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study suggest that PET is useful in the management of SCCC. PET could have more value in detecting occult metastases if future novel therapies are able to offer better control of extensive SCCC.

Outcome of ovarian preservation during surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: A Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of ovarian preservation on the survival of women with early-stage endometrial cancer, particularly young women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study cohort of 64 patients with histologically confirmed early-stage endometrial cancer was retrospectively collected from 10 member hospitals of the Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group between 1998 and 2009. Survivorship and overall survival were compared between these two groups using a log-rank test. RESULTS: All patients who underwent surgery were adult women with a mean age of 40.4 ± 9.2 years (range 24-63 years). Ovary-preserving surgery was performed in 38 (59.4%) patients who desired to preserve their ovaries, incidentally in 19 (29.7%) patients with a preoperative diagnosis other than endometrial carcinoma, and in seven patients (10.9%) with unknown reasons. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 98.3% with a median follow up of 44.6 months (range 1.0-126.9 months). Eight patients required adjuvant treatment (12.5%); one patient had documented local recurrence (1.6%); and no metachronous ovarian malignancy occurred during follow up. CONCLUSION: Preservation of bilateral ovaries does not increase cancer-related mortality. A more conservative approach to surgical staging may be considered in premenopausal women with early-stage endometrial cancer without risk factors.

Relationship Between being Overweight and Iron Deficiency in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Being overweight has been considered to be a risk factor of iron deficiency (ID). The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between being overweight and body iron status among Taiwanese adolescents. METHODS: A total of 2099 adolescents (1327 female) aged 12-19 years from four middle schools and one college in southern Taiwan participated in this study. Data on sex, age, body weight, height, hemoglobin concentration, plasma ferritin (PF), and serum iron (SI) levels were collected. According to the age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) percentiles, the participants were divided into four weight groups: underweight (<5(th) percentile), normal weight (5-84(th) percentile), overweight (85-94(th) percentile), and obese (≥95(th) percentile). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each factor. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients of linear regression were positive for BMI-hemoglobin and BMI-PF, but negative for BMI-SI. Compared with the normal-weight group, the obese group had a lower risk of PF level <15 µg/L with an OR (95% CI) of 0.51 (0.30-0.87) but a higher risk of SI <60 µg/dL with an OR (95% CI) of 1.78 (1.34-2.37). The percentages of low PF declined as BMI increased, but the percentages of low SI rose, from underweight to obesity groups. CONCLUSION: The relationship between being overweight and depleted iron store depends on which indicator is used to define the iron deficiency. Being overweight or obese would not be a risk factor of ID in adolescents, if ID were defined by PF rather than SI level.

Serum microRNAs in clear cell carcinoma of the ovary.

OBJECTIVE: To identify candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) in the serum of patients with clear cell carcinomas in monitoring disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sera of patients with diagnosed ovarian clear cell carcinoma were collected from 2009 to 2012. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for 270 miRNAs was performed. To offset the potential extraction bias, an equal amount of Caenorhabditis elegans cel-miR-238 was added to each serum specimen before miRNA isolation. miRNA expression was analyzed using the ΔCt method, with cel-miR-238 as controls. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with clear cell carcinoma were included. In the discovery phase on four pairs of pre- and postoperative sera, 18 differentially expressed miRNAs were selected from 270 miRNAs. In the validation phase on an independent set of 11 pairs of pre- and postoperative sera, 4 miRNAs (hsa-miR-130a, hsa-miR-138, hsa-miR-187, and hsa-miR-202) were confirmed to be higher in the preoperative sera. In the application phase, hsa-miR-130a remained consistent with the different time points in seven of the 10 patients during clinical follow-up periods. More importantly, in three patients, hsa-miR-130a levels were elevated in early disease recurrences before CA125 was found to be elevated. CONCLUSION: Hsa-miR-130a may be a useful serum biomarker for detecting recurrence of ovarian clear cell cancer, and warrants further studies.

Serum concentrations of anthraquinones after intake of Folium Sennae and potential modulation on P-glycoprotein.

Folium Sennae (leaves of Cassia angustifolia or senna) is a laxative and a component in diets for weight control. It contains a variety of anthranoids such as sennosides, aloe-emodin, and rhein. In order to measure the serum concentrations of senna anthranoids, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with single dose and multiple doses of Folium Sennae. The concentrations of anthranoids in serum were determined by HPLC method before and after hydrolysis with sulfatase and ß-glucuronidase. The results showed that in the serum, aloe-emodin glucuronides and rhein glucuronides were the major metabolites. Traces of rhein free form were present transiently during the early phase, whereas the free form of aloe-emodin was not detected. We also evaluated the modulation effect of Folium Sennae on P-glycoprotein by using the LS 180 cell model which showed that it significantly inhibited P-glycoprotein by 16-46 %. In conclusion, senna anthranoids were rapidly and extensively metabolized to rhein glucuronides and aloe-emodin glucuronides in rats. Folium Sennae ingestion inhibited the efflux function of P-glycoprotein in the intestine.