The role of sialylation in gynecologic cancers.

Sialic acids (SA) are a kind of nine-carbon backbone sugars, serving as important molecules in cell-to-cell or cell-to-extra-cellular matrix interaction mediated by either O-linked glycosylation or N-linked glycosylation to attach the terminal end of glycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. All processes need a balance between sialylation by sialyltransferase (STs) and desialylation by sialidases (also known as neuraminidases, NEU). Although there is much in uncertainty whether the sialyation plays in cancer development and progression, at least four mechanisms are proposed, including surveillance of immune system, modification of cellular apoptosis and cell death, alteration of cellular surface of cancer cells and tumor associated microenvironment responsible carcinogenesis, growth and metastases. The current review focuses on the role of glycosylation in gynecologic organ-related cancers, such as ovarian cancer, cervical and endometrial cancer. Evidence shows that sialylation involving in the alternation of surface components of cells (tumor and cells in the microenvironment of host) plays an important role for carcinogenesis (escape from immunosurveillance) and dissemination (metastasis) (sloughing from the original site of cancer, migration into the circulation system, extravasation from the circulatory system to the distant site and finally deposition and establishment on the new growth lesion to complete the metastatic process). Additionally, modification of glycosylation can enhance or alleviate the aggressive characteristics of the cancer behaviors. All suggest that more understandings of glycosylation on cancers may provide a new therapeutic field to assist the cancer treatment in the near future.

A small mature cystic ovarian teratoma associated with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and acute respiratory failure: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of anti-N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDARE) presented by mental and behavioral changes and seizures accompanied with respiratory failure. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old multiparous woman was initially presented with abnormal mental behavior and the diagnosis of schizophrenia was made, but the disease progressed rapidly to general convulsion and acute respiratory failure. Although active treatment, including steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) and plasma exchange was applied, no significant improvement was obtained. Transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic magnetic resonance image (MRI) were arranged and the results showed a suspicious cystic lesion (3 × 2.3 cm) at the right ovary. Laparoscopic unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and final pathology reported a matured cystic teratoma, suggesting that this patient had anti-NMDARE secondary to ovarian mature teratoma. After surgery, the clinical condition was dramatically improved and she recovered completely without sequelae. CONCLUSION: Although it is well-known about the relation between anti-NMDARE and ovarian mature teratoma, this small tumor may result in the missing diagnosis. Remind us to consider the possibility of any small ovarian cystic lesion-related anti-NMDARE in women with autoimmune encephalitis.

Early oral diet may enhance recovery from benign gynecologic surgery: A prospective study in single medical center.

BACKGROUND: Early dietary intake enhances recovery after surgery (ERAS). There remains a gap in the recognition and implementation of early-diet after surgery in medical institutions in Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate whether early oral intake after benign gynecologic surgery results in favorable outcomes in Taiwanese patients. METHODS: This was a prospective controlled non-randomized cohort study. Patients who underwent benign gynecological surgery were included in the early and conventional-diet groups. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay, and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty and 38 patients in included in the early and conventional-diet groups, respectively. The early-diet group demonstrated significantly reduced length of hospital stay (the early-diet group, 2.58±0.93 days; conventional-diet group, 4.16±1.13 days; p<0.001). No increase in postoperative complications was observed in the early-diet group. Laparoscopic surgery reduced the length of hospital stay (Beta, -0.65; 95%CI, -1.22~ -0.08; p=0.027), while an increased length of hospital stay was associated with higher visual analog scales (VAS, Beta, 0.21; 95%CI, 0.03~ 0.39; p=0.026) and the conventional-diet group (Beta, 1.13; 95%CI, 0.65~ 1.61; p<0.001) as assessed by multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent benign gynecologic surgery tolerated an early oral diet well without an increase in complications. Laparoscopic surgery and lower pain scores also enhanced postoperative recovery.

Managing the transition in cervical screening methods for Taiwan: Policy recommendations and perspectives.

Since government-provided annual cervical cytology testing for all Taiwanese women aged 30 years or older became available in 1995, both cervical cancer incidence and death have decreased significantly. However, with the 2018 introduction of the national immunization program for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in all schoolgirls aged 13-15 years old, the positive predictive value of cytology testing is expected to decrease with rising vaccination rates, and therefore a transition to more sensitive HPV-based testing may be needed. This position paper, derived from discussions by a panel of experts in cervical cancer screening, provides short-, medium-, and long-term policy recommendations to manage the transition between cervical screening methods for Taiwan. The recommendations include concrete suggestions regarding testing procedures, standards, accreditation, monitoring, promotion, and implementation. It is hoped that comprehensive preparation and management of this transition will enable Taiwan to repeat the previous successes of the cervical cytology testing program.