Foster parent support and needs of public health nurses, pediatric nurses, and childcare workers: A survey of three municipalities with high foster parent placement rates in Japan.

Objective　This study aimed to elucidate foster parent support afforded by and the related needs of public health nurses, pediatric nurses, and childcare workers in Japan.Methods　We conducted a quantitative study involving 95 public health nurses, 450 pediatric nurses, and 360 childcare workers in three municipalities with foster parent placement rates higher than the national average in Japan. The participants were questioned regarding their experiences in supporting foster parents at work; participation in foster parent support training; awareness and perceptions of foster parents; knowledge about foster parents, foster children, and the foster care system; and confidence in supporting foster parents.

Frontal nerve schwannoma in a 16-year-old girl presenting with a rapid growth for 2 years.

Background: Orbital schwannomas arising from the frontal nerve are a rare but distinct entity.

Case Description: A 16-year-old girl presented to our hospital with gradually progressive proptosis. Computed tomography (CT) performed 2 years ago incidentally detected a retrobulbar mass in the left orbit measuring 13 mm × 14 mm × 10 mm, which was not identified on CT performed at the age of 4 years.

Permeability and Toxicity of Cryoprotective Agents in Silkworm Embryos: Impact on Cryopreservation.

The permeation of cryoprotectants into insect embryos is critical for successful cryopreservation. However, the permeability of silkworm embryos to cryoprotectants and the effects of cryopreservation remain poorly studied. In this study, we evaluated the permeability and toxicity of four cryoprotective agents (CPAs) as well as the vitrification effect on the viability of silkworm embryos.

Rapid growth of calcified amorphous tumor with mitral annulus calcification: a case report.

Background: Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) of the heart is a rare, non-neoplastic cardiac mass with mitral valves and annuli being the most common sites. The presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with an increased risk of stroke or other systemic embolisms. Here, we report a case of CAT showing rapid growth with MAC and investigate the link between the two.