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Audio guides are used for appreciating works in museums. Although factors that influence such appreciation behavior have been studied, little is known about the effect of changing the audio guide presentation method when the viewer uses it. To understand the influence of audio guides on appreciation, this study conducted experiments to identify whether the audio guide presentation method affected viewers’ appreciation behavior. The results demonstrated that changes in speaking speed and presentation timing affected appreciation behavior, whereas priming did not affect appreciation but affected moving behavior. In addition, we examined subjective impressions of appreciation. Consequently, in terms of speaking speed and presentation timing, which affect appreciation time, it became clear that certain conditions made people feel uncomfortable in the subjective evaluation. On the other hand, in priming factors that only affect moving time, no unusual impression was found in the appreciation itself. The findings suggested the possibility of automatically controlling the presentation method without decreasing satisfaction with appreciation.

Background: We investigated the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on oral cancer (OC), comparing diagnosis and number of pre‐operative days in the diagnosis of OC in 2019 (pre‐COVID‐19) and that in 2020 (during the COVID‐19 pandemic). Methods: Using data from a cancer registry‐based study on the impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care in Osaka (CanReCO), we collected details of sex, age, residential area, cancer site, date of diagnosis, clinical stage at first treatment and number of pre‐operative days in OC patients. Results: A total of 1470 OC cases were registered. Incidence of OC before and during COVID‐19 was 814 and 656 cases, respectively. During the first wave of the pandemic (March to May 2020), incidence was about half that in the same period in 2019 (2019; n = 271, 2020; n = 145). Number of pre‐operative days (median number of days between the first hospital visit and surgery date) was significantly shorter during the COVID‐19 year (24.5 days) than in the pre‐COVID‐19 year (28 days, p = 0.0015). Conclusions: Incidence of OC during the COVID‐19 pandemic was lower than in pre‐COVID‐19. Despite disruption in the healthcare system, the number of pre‐operative days for OC cases was shorter during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compile a screening scale for high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), using the Tokyo Child Development Schedule (TCDS) and Tokyo Autistic Behavior Scale (TABS). The 72 participants (IQ greater than or equal to 70) were divided into 3 groups after IQ matching depending on their diagnoses: i.e., PDD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), or other than PDD or AD/HD. Among the items of TCDS and TABS, correlation with PDD diagnosis was confirmed in 3 items. A screening scale consisting of these 3 items (TCDS/TABS-3) had a sensitivity of 0.75 and a specificity of 0.84 at 2 cutoff points. We consider that the TCDS/TABS-3 encompasses and adequately reflects the autism diagnostic criteria and would be a useful auxiliary scale for PDD diagnosis. (Contains 8 tables and 1 figure.)

Second primary cancer (SPC) is one of the most life‐threatening late effects of childhood cancers. We investigated the incidence and survival outcomes of SPC in childhood cancer patients in Japan. Data were obtained from the population‐based Osaka Cancer Registry. Individuals diagnosed with cancer at age 0–14 years during 1975–2014 and survived 2 months or longer were followed through December 2015. The risk of developing SPC was assessed with standardized incidence ratio (SIR), excess absolute risk (EAR, per 100,000 person‐years), and cumulative incidence. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis was carried out to assess relative risks of SPC by treatment method. Survival analysis was undertaken using the Kaplan–Meier method. Of 7229 childhood cancer survivors, 101 (1.4%) developed SPC after a median of 11.6 years. Overall SIR was 5.0, which corresponded with 84.3 EAR. The cumulative incidence was 0.9%, 2.1%, and 3.4% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Among all SPCs, the type that contributed most to the overall burden was cancers in the central nervous system (EAR = 28.0) followed by digestive system (EAR = 15.1), thyroid (EAR = 8.3), and bones and joints (EAR = 7.8); median latency ranged from 2.0 years (lymphomas) to 26.6 years (skin cancers). Patients treated with radiotherapy alone were at a 2.58‐fold increased risk of developing SPC compared to those who received neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy. Among patients who developed SPCs, 5‐year and 10‐year survival probabilities after SPC diagnosis were 61.7% and 52.0%, respectively. Risk‐based long‐term follow‐up planning is essential to inform survivorship care and help reduce the burden of SPCs in childhood cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer survival varies by socioeconomic status in Japan. We examined the extent to which survival disparities are explained by factors relevant to cancer control measures (promoting early‐stage detection, standardizing treatment, and centralizing patients to government‐accredited cancer hospitals [ACHs]). Methods: From the Osaka Cancer Registry, patients diagnosed with solid malignant tumors during 2005–2014 and aged 15–84 years (N = 376,077) were classified into quartiles using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Trends in inequalities were assessed for potentially associated factors: early‐stage detection, treatment modality, and utilization of ACH (for first contact/diagnosis/treatment). 3‐year all‐cause survival was computed by the ADI quartile. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess survival disparities and their trends through a series of adjustment for the potentially associated factors. Results: During 2005–2014, the most deprived ADI quartile had lower rates than the least deprived quartile for early‐stage detection (42.6% vs. 48.7%); receipt of surgery (58.1% vs. 64.1%); and utilization of ACH (83.5% vs. 88.4%). While rate differences decreased for receipt of surgery and utilization of ACH (Annual Percent Change = −3.2 and − 11.9, respectively) over time, it remained unchanged for early‐stage detection. During 2012–2014, the most deprived ADI quartile had lower 3‐year survival than the least deprived (59.0% vs. 69.4%) and higher mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.32, adjusted for case‐mix): this attenuated with additional adjustment for stage at diagnosis (HR = 1.23); treatment modality (HR = 1.20); and utilization of ACH (HR = 1.19) Conclusions: Despite improvements in equalizing access to quality cancer care during 2005–2014, survival disparities remained. Interventions to reduce inequalities in early‐stage detection could ameliorate such gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: We investigated the association between coexisting diabetes at the time of cancer diagnosis, and the overall survival and incidence of second primary cancer in patients with cancer and receiving drug therapy for diabetes. Materials and Methods: We used cancer registry and administrative data of patients diagnosed with cancer at designated cancer care hospitals in Osaka Prefecture between 2010 and 2015. The presence of diabetes was identified from the prescription records of antidiabetic drugs in Diagnosis Procedure Combination System data. After adjusting for patient characteristics, we compared overall survival between patients with cancer with coexisting diabetes and those without coexisting diabetes using the Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, the impact of coexisting diabetes on the risk of developing second primary cancer was evaluated using a competing risk analysis. Results: Of the 131,701 patients with cancer included in the analysis, 6,135 (4.7%) had coexisting diabetes. The 5‐year survival rates for patients with and without coexisting diabetes were 56.2% (95% confidence interval 54.8–57.6) and 72.7% (95% confidence interval 72.4–73.0), respectively. Coexisting diabetes was associated with a higher risk of developing second primary cancer (subdistribution hazard ratio 1.23; 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.41). In site‐specific analysis, coexisting diabetes was associated with an increased risk for the development of second primary cancer of multiple myeloma, and cancer of the uterus, pancreas and liver. Conclusions: Coexisting diabetes was associated with a higher mortality and risk of developing second primary cancer in Japanese patients with cancer and on drug therapy for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rituximab (RTX) is a promising option for treating childhood-onset steroid-dependent (SDNS), frequently relapsing (FRNS), and steroid-resistant (SRNS) nephrotic syndrome. Methods We retrospectively surveyed RTX treatment for these conditions to evaluate its indications, efficacy and adverse events. Questionnaires were sent to 141 hospitals in Japan. Results Seventy-four patients (52 SDNS; 3 FRNS; 19 SRNS) were treated with RTX because of resistance to various immunosuppressive agents. Most patients received a single administration of RTX (85%). Forty-one of 53 SDNS/FRNS (77%) and 5 of 17 SRNS (29%) patients successfully discontinued prednisolone (16 SDNS/FRNS and 6 SRNS achieved their first discontinuation since onset), and 17 out of 53 SDNS/FRNS patients (31%) discontinued cyclosporine. However, 28 of the 53 patients (51%) relapsed. Although immunosuppressive agents did not extend B cell depletion, relapses were significantly less if immunosuppressive agents were continued after RTX (P = 0.006; hazard ratio = 0.2). Among the SRNS patients, complete (n = 6) and partial remission (n = 6) were achieved. No life-threatening adverse events were experienced. Conclusions Although this was a multi-center survey where treatment of nephrotic syndrome varied between centers, the steroid-sparing effect of RTX in SDNS/FRNS was excellent. If single administration of RTX is chosen, continuation of immunosuppressive agents is recommended for prevention of relapse., Author(s): Shuichi Ito [sup.1] [sup.5] , Koichi Kamei [sup.1] , Masao Ogura [sup.1] , Tomohiro Udagawa [sup.1] , Shuichiro Fujinaga [sup.2] , Mari Saito [sup.3] , Mayumi Sako [sup.3] , [...]