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Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing using self-collected vaginal samples and urine samples is convenient and effective for improving the screening rate. But, to serve as an alternative cervical cancer screening technique, such tests must offer sensitivity equivalent to the HPV testing of physician-collected cervical samples. To examine the effectiveness of HPV testing using self-collected samples and urine samples, we compared the results of HPV testing using these samples with those of HPV testing using physician-collected samples and cytological examinations.The study population included 300 women (age: 20-50 years) with abnormal cervical cytology. The results of HPV testing using self-collected samples and urine samples and physician-collected samples and cervical cytology were compared.For all HPV types, the κ-value was 0.773 for physician- and self-collected samples and 0.575 for physician-collected and urine samples. The κ-value for HPV type 16-positive samples was 0.988 for physician- and self-collected samples and 0.896 for physician-collected and urine samples. The κ-value for HPV type 18-positive samples was 0.856 for physician- and self-collected samples and 0.831 for physician-collected and urine samples. For other HPV types, the value was 0.809 for physician- and self-collected samples and 0.617 for physician-collected and urine samples.The obtained results were consistent between physician- and self-collected samples as well as between physician-collected and urine samples. Considering that the agreement rate was particularly high for the high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, HPV testing using physician-collected samples, self-collected samples, and urine samples was equally effective for the types with high carcinogenicity.

Background: The importance of human papillomavirus (HPV) co-testing using physician-, self-, and urine-collected samples to predict cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1–2 prognoses has not been previously reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the outcomes of patients with CIN 1–2 who simultaneously underwent physician-, self-, and urine-collection sampling tests. Methods: This study was conducted in Japan between October 2019 and November 2022 and examined the proportion of cases with CIN 1–2 progressions, the percentage of cases with persistent CIN 1–2, and the outcome differences according to the results of physician-, self-, and urine sampling tests. Results: There were 105 and 59 CIN 1 and 2 cases, with progression or persistence in 27 (29.3%) and 21 (50.0%) cases, respectively. The median follow-up was 20 and 12 months, respectively. Progression and persistence of CIN 1 were significantly associated with HPV-positive physician- and self-collection samples. No significant difference was observed between cases with CIN 2 who had HPV-positive and HPV-negative results using any sampling method. Conclusions: Physician- and self-testing for HPV are crucial for predicting disease progression risk in CIN 1 cases. Future research with an extended observation period and consideration of the progression risks is warranted.

Background One cause of the increase in cervical cancer rates in Japan is the long-term stagnation in the cervical cancer screening consultation rate. Improving the screening consultation rate is therefore of urgent concern to reduce cervical cancer incidence. Self-collected human papilloma virus (HPV) tests have been successfully adopted in several countries, such as Netherlands and Australia, as a measure of individuals who have not undergone cervical cancer screening in national programs. This study aimed to verify whether self-collected HPV tests presented an effective countermeasure for individuals who had not undergone the recommended cervical cancer screenings. Methods This study was conducted from December 2020 to September 2022 in Muroran City, Japan. The primary evaluated endpoints included the percentage of citizens with positive self-collected HPV test results and individuals who underwent cervical cancer screening at a hospital. The secondary endpoints were the percentage of included participants who had undergone any cervical cancer screening and the diagnostic rates. Results The included study participants were 7,653 individuals aged 20–50 years with no record of having undergone a cervical cancer examination in the past 5 years. We mailed these participants information on self-administered HPV tests as an alternative screening procedure and sent the kit to 1,674 women who requested the test, among whom 953 returned the kit. Among the 89 HPV-positive individuals (positive rate, 9.3%), 71 (79.8%) visited the designated hospital for an examination. A closer examination revealed that 13 women (18.3% of hospital visits) had a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) finding of CIN2 or higher, among whom one each had cervical cancer and vulvar cancer, eight presented with CIN3, and three presented with CIN2; two cases of invasive gynecologic cancer were also identified. Conclusions We conclude that the self-collected HPV tests showed a certain efficacy as a measure of individuals who had not undergone the recommended cervical cancer screening. We devised ways to have the unexamined patients undergo HPV testing and ensure that HPV-positive individuals visited the hospital. Despite a few limitations, our findings suggest the effectiveness of this public health intervention.

Aim Patients with an ultra-short uterine cervix as a result of large conization, repeated conization or radical trachelectomy (RT), are at high risk of preterm premature rupture of the membrane, which leads to preterm birth. We have commenced performing transabdominal cerclage (TAC) of the uterine cervix for these patients. In this study, we examined the safety of TAC and its impact on pregnancy. Methods We have performed TAC in 11 patients before pregnancy: in six after large cervical operations, such as repeated conization; and in five for difficulties with cervical cerclage after RT. After laparotomy, a Teflon thread was placed in the avascular space between the uterine vessels and the uterine muscle, and tied. The clinical course of the patients after TAC and their pregnancy course were retrospectively reviewed. Results TAC was performed safely without any complications. The mean operative duration was 53 ± 10 min, and the mean blood loss during the operation was 49 ± 64 mL. Seven women conceived within 2 years after TAC. Their pregnancy courses were favorable. Five of the women underwent scheduled cesarean sections, while two pregnancies are ongoing. Conclusions Although there are risks of various complications as a result of the use of non-absorbable thread and the need for two extra laparotomies, TAC can be a safe and useful option for patients who show cervical incompetence after large uterine cervical operations, such as RT or large conization.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of and challenges facing Law-Related Education (LRE) in Japan. What follows defines the concept of LRE, the particular characteristics of LRE in Japan, curriculum developments in Japan and elsewhere (especially the United States of America) and, specifically, the subject of justice studies in elementary and junior high schools.

The A3243G mutation of the mitochondrial gene is a cause of maternally inherited diabetes and deafness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and clinical features of this mutation in patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in otorhinolaryngic clinics. The frequency of the A3243G mutation in 230 patients with SNHL was 1.74% (4/230). Three of the four patients had diabetes mellitus (DM) and were already aware that they had the mutation. The other had cardiomyopathy but not DM, and proved to have the mutation in this study. The frequency of the mutation was 12.9% (4/31) in patients with a family history of possible maternal inheritance of SNHL, 10.3% (3/29) in patients with DM, and 50% (3/6) in patients with both. The age of onset of SNHL in these patients and their families was between their teens and their forties. The chance of diagnosing the A3243G mutation in patients with SNHL in otorhinolaryngic clinics is probably less than 1%. Association of DM, cardiomyopathy, a family history of possible maternal inheritance of SNHL, and an onset of SNHL between the teens and the forties are signs suggesting the mutation. These signs provide us with a reason for genetic testing for the mutation.

The results of this study demonstrate that suppression of inflammation by dexamethasone attenuates the host immune response against adenoviral-mediated gene transfection and thereby prolongs transgene expression in murine nasal mucosa.Gene transfer using a recombinant adenovirus is a good tool for research and clinical applications, but the immune response to adenoviral vectors can induce inflammation and loss of transgene expression in transfected tissues. In this study we investigated the effects of dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression on adenovirus gene transfer in the nasal mucosa of the mouse.We administered the recombinant adenovirus Ax1CAlacZ, which encodes Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ gene), to the nasal mucosa of mice treated with or without i.p. dexamethasone and evaluated the expression of the lacZ gene on Days 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28. The nasal mucosa was dissected out, and the mRNA level was measured using a LightCycler. The expression of the exogenous beta-galactosidase was detected by means of histochemistry.Dexamethasone treatment significantly increased the mRNA level compared with that in the controls at Days 4, 7 and 14. Histochemistry showed that the expression of beta-galactosidase protein persisted in the dexamethasone-treated mice at Days 7 and 14 but had diminished almost to nothing in the control group.

The expression of adenoviral vector (Ad)-mediated lacZ and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in mouse olfactory epithelium (OE) was examined, and the effect of BDNF on the survival of the bulbectomized OE was evaluated. A recombinant adenovirus, Ax1CAlacZ, was administrated into the mouse OE after bulbectomy, and the expression of a transferred E. coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene was confirmed by X-gal staining. The expression and effects of exogenous BDNF in the OE after bulbectomy were examined using immunohistochemistry and the TUNEL method. The adenoviral vector-mediated expression of beta-gal in the mouse OE was detectable for up to 14 days after bulbectomy in vivo. The Ad-mediated expression of BDNF was also observed in the OE after bulbectomy. Exogenously induced BDNF suppressed the degenerative changes of bulbectomized OE. TUNEL staining indicated that the exogenous BDNF enhanced the survival of the bulbectomized OE by inhibiting apoptosis. Ad-mediated expression of BDNF in the mouse nasal mucosa alleviated degenerative changes in bulbectomized OE. Ad-mediated transfer of neurotrophic factors might be applicable in the treatment of olfactory disorders.

Adenovirus is a good tool for transferring exogenous genes into various organs because the virus has a wide spectrum of infection. In this report, we demonstrate that a recombinant adenovirus, Ax1CAlacZ, can transfer an exogenous lacZ gene into murine nasal mucosa in vivo. The efficiency of the exogenous gene expression varied for different cell types and was improved by optimizing the method of administration. In the olfactory region, the olfactory epithelia, sustentacular cells and olfactory nerve efficiently expressed lacZ gene transferred by Ax1CAlacZ using either of two administration methods, dripping or injecting. In contrast, in the respiratory region, the respiratory epithelia but not the subepithelial tissues expressed lacZ gene transferred by Ax1CAlacZ, and the efficiency of the gene transfer, which was low when the virus was administered by nasal drops, was improved when the virus was administered by injection. Our study demonstrated that gene transfer mediated by adenovirus is more efficient in the olfactory epithelia than in the respiratory epithelia, and may be applicable to nasal or paranasal diseases such as olfactory epithelial disturbances.