Physiology and potential application of NKT cells: a minireview.

CD1d-restricted T (NKT) cells are potent regulators of autoimmunity, tumor immunity, and transplantation-related immunity. NKT cells are a subset of innate lymphocytes that recognize endogenous or exogenous glycolipids in the context of CD1d molecules. Recent progress in the research of NKT cells has proved that NKT cells function as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity in anticancer immunity.

Prognostic nomogram for overall survival in stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: On the basis of outcome data from concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma, the authors developed a nomogram for predicting survival outcome.

Study Design: Two hundred fifty-one eligible patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB-IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix who underwent CCRT were included for the construction of the nomogram. Predictor variables included age, serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen, tumor size, parametrium invasion, hydronephrosis, bladder/rectum invasion, and lymph node metastases.

Importance of delivered cycles and nomogram for intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.

Objective: Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has gained enthusiasm in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Despite having a better survival advantage than intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, IP chemotherapy still poses significant morbidity and complications. Identifying the subset of patients who could best benefit from IP chemotherapy, and those who would least benefit from this treatment, thus avoiding potential complications, is critical.

Estimating the long-term clinical impact of cervical cancer vaccination in Taiwan.

The high burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and subsequent cervical cancer in the presence of screening in Taiwan suggests the need for further prevention strategies. Epidemiology and screening practices vary considerably between countries, and specific analyses are required to estimate the impact of HPV vaccination. This study adapted a computer-based health economic model to Taiwan to project the clinical impact of the introduction of a prophylactic vaccine against persistent HPV 16/18 infection on cervical disease.

Regulatory T cells: potential target in anticancer immunotherapy.

The concept of regulatory T cells was first described in the early 1970s, and regulatory T cells were called suppressive T cells at that time. Studies that followed have demonstrated that these suppressive T cells negatively regulated tumor immunity and contributed to tumor growth in mice. Despite the importance of these studies, there was extensive skepticism about the existence of these cells, and the concept of suppressive T cells left the center stage of immunologic research for decades.

Laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation with and without presacral neurectomy in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a prospective efficacy analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve (LUNA) alone vs. LUNA plus presacral neurectomy (PN) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Study Design: Seventy-four patients were randomly allocated to LUNA alone or LUNA plus PN.

Combined diverticulectomy and anti-incontinence surgery for patients with urethral diverticulum and stress urinary incontinence: is anti-incontinence surgery really necessary?

Objective: Urethral diverticulum has been identified in 0.6-6% of women and is diagnosed most frequently in the third to fifth decades. Combined diverticulectomy and anti-incontinence surgery are usually undertaken for patients with urethral diverticulum who present with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.

Efficacy analysis of trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) plus modified Ingelman-Sundberg procedure versus TVT-O alone in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence: a randomized study.

Objective: The treatment of women with mixed urinary incontinence still poses a great challenge. This study evaluated surgical outcomes of combined trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) and modified Ingelman-Sundberg (IS) procedure for the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted.

Natural progression of menstrual pain in nulliparous women at reproductive age: an observational study.

Background: Menstrual pain can be alleviated after childbirth. The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the natural progression of menstrual pain among nulliparous women at their reproductive age.

Methods: A questionnaire-based study of perimenopausal women with a history of primary dysmenorrhea was performed.

Primary dysmenorrhea and risk of preterm delivery.

Little is known about the mechanism and biochemical pathway of preterm delivery. Some drugs used to treat preterm labor are also useful for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. This study attempted to evaluate the association between primary dysmenorrhea and preterm delivery from an epidemiological perspective.

Treatment of primary deep dyspareunia with laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation procedure: a pilot study.

Background: This pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) for treatment of primary deep dyspareunia.

Methods: Between July 2002 and June 2003, 12 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary deep dyspareunia were treated with the LUNA procedure. The evaluation scoring system included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the revised Sabbatsberg Sexual Rating Scale, done at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after LUNA.

Impact of pregnancy on primary dysmenorrhea.

Objective: Because it has been observed that dysmenorrhea can improve after childbirth, this investigation was intended to quantify the impact of both gestational length and mode of delivery on primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods: This is an 8-year prospective observational study. Patients with a history of dysmenorrhea who later gave birth were evaluated for improvement on the severity of dysmenorrhea, with use of visual analogue scale (VAS), and Likert-type scale.

Successful treatment of deep dyspareunia and primary dysmenorrhea with laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) procedure.

Deep dyspareunia, often described as pain resulting from pelvic thrusting during sexual intercourse, is relatively common and has many causes. To date, feasible surgical interventions for deep dyspareunia are very rare. The two procedures which have been mentioned in the literature for the treatment of deep dyspareunia were laparoscopic uterosacral ligament ablation (LUNA) and uterine ventrosuspension.