Relationship of the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes with the stage of secondary lymphatic edema

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the relationships of the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes with the lower limb lymphedema stage and thus examined the role of superficial lymphatic lymph nodes in secondary lymphedema development. METHODS: We determined the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes using horizontal plane computed tomography (CT) and the lymphedema stage in the lower limbs of 25 patients with gynecologic cancer. RESULTS: The patients had an average of 2.92 (range, 1-7) superficial groin lymph nodes; the mean size of the 146 evaluated lymph nodes was 7.55 mm (range, 5-15 mm). In 19 of 25 patients (76%), the side with major edema contained fewer superficial groin lymph nodes. In total, 22 patients (88%) had fewer superficial groin lymph nodes or a smaller total lymph node size on the edematous dominant side. CONCLUSIONS: In this evaluation of the link between superficial groin lymph node laterality and secondary lymphedema staging, we found that patients with large lymph node numbers and sizes tended to present with a relatively earlier stage of lymphedema. Our results therefore suggest that the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes affect the lymphedema stage

Pure Choriocarcinoma of the Ovary in Silver-Russell Syndrome

Pure ovarian choriocarcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy that can be gestational or non-gestational in origin. Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a rare congenital developmental disorder characterized by pre- and postnatal growth failure, relative macrocephaly, a triangular face, hemihypotrophy, and fifth-finger clinodactyly. We report a rare case of pure ovarian choriocarcinoma occurring in a 19-year-old woman with SRS. Following surgery, multiple chemotherapy courses were effective and she was free of disease at the 10-month follow-up

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Insulin-like Growth Factor I Receptor Status in Cervical Cancer Specimens

The insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) is exceptionally overexpressed in many cervicalcancer-derived cell lines. It is postulated that a decrease of p53 protein levels due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may contribute to the up-regulation of IGF-IR expression in cervical cancer cells because transcription of IGF-IR is strictly down-regulated by p53. To evaluate this fact in clinical cervical cancer specimens, we checked the expression levels and activated status of IGF-IR by immunohistochemistry. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained by conization or hysterectomy were stained with anti-IGF-IR and with an antibody recognizing phosphorylated tyrosine at its c-terminus. The expression levels of IGF-IR were significantly high in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III and invasive cancer specimens. Phosphorylation of IGF-IR was promoted in all CIN and invasive cancer specimens, and its intensity was related to the promotion of lesions. Interestingly, IGF-IR overexpression was missing in the basal layer of CIN I and II lesions, whereas it was evenly distributed in CIN III and invasive cancer lesions. This IGF-IR overexpression pattern may be utilized in the diagnosis of HPV infection status in CIN lesions.</p

Three Cases of Struma Ovarii Underwent Laparoscopic Surgery with Definite Preoperative Diagnosis

Struma ovarii is a rare neoplasm that accounts for approximately 0.3ｵ of ovarian tumors. Due to its ultrasound morphology, which is quite similar to that of malignant ovarian carcinoma, most struma ovarii cases are open operated with laparotomy rather than laparoscopy. We present 3 cases of struma ovarii, which were diagnosed preoperatively by imaging studies and removed by laparoscopic surgery. All patients were premenopausal women between ages 31‒50. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were complex masses composed of multiple cysts and solid components with T2-hypointense regions as well as multiple T1-hyperintense cystic areas, findings that are typical for struma ovarii. A combination of plain computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, and scintigraphy was useful for diagnosis. Laboratory examination revealed elevated serum thyroglobulin, which led to the diagnosis of struma ovarii. Laparoscopic surgeries were performed without rupturing the tumors. Although it has been difficult to differentiate between struma ovarii and malignant tumors by conventional methods, recently MRI techniques appear make it possible to diagnose struma ovarii preoperatively from the abovementioned imaging characteristic, together with laboratory data. As for treatment, we think laparoscopy could be successful for struma ovarii, but the surgeon must be careful not to rupture the tumor intra-abdominally in order to prevent dissemination, which could lead to malignancy

The safety for drinking of hot spring hydrogen water

The safety for drinking of hot spring hydrogen water was examined for 27 healthy women. The research method was the crossover comparison examination of hot spring hydrogen water and tap water for four weeks. The blood cell count, liver function, kidney function, plasma lipids, and electrolytes were measured before and after drinking. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration significantly decreased after drinking of hot spring hydrogen water and tap water. The plasma total protein, blood urea nitrogen, and total cholesterol significantly decreased after drinking the hot spring hydrogen water. Other data showed no significant changes. These results suggested that the drinking of hot spring hydrogen water was almost safe

Educational Effects of Various Team Childcare Styles in Preschool Education

本論は，幼稚園で実践されているティーム保育について，その多様な形態を分類することを目的に，１県内全域の幼稚園に対する質問紙調査を行い，実証的に明らかにしたものである。ティーム保育の形態の分類は，保育経験豊富な研究協力者によって，質問紙調査の結果を基にしたグループディスカッションで検討され，各形態に見る教育効果や特性，運営上の課題が精査された。その結果，園内の全教師が１つのティームとなり，全園児を全教師で保育するという意識を強く持っていることが明らかになった。そのことを前提に，ティーム保育の形態について，次に示す３つの分類が見出された：①「教師の配置に注目したティーム保育の形態」，②「保育内容や生活を重視したティーム保育の形態」，③「幼児理解や保育等に関する保育時間外のティーム保育の形態」。The purpose of this study is to classify various styles of team childcare practicing in preschools. We adopted a questionnaire method to preschool teachers in a prefecture to research it empirically. The classification of team childcare styles was discussed based on the results of our questionnaire by co-researchers who has enough experiences of childcare, and we could examine educational effect, characteristics, and some problems of each team childcare style. As a result, it is clear that all teachers in the same preschool become members of team, and they are strongly conscious of “all teachers for all children.” Based on the premise mentioned, three categories of team childcare styles are found; 1) A team childcare style to focus on teachers’ arrangement, 2) A team childcare style to put emphasis on contents of childcare and life, and 3) A team childcare style after a childcare time on child understanding, childcare and so on