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Uterine smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) are common pelvic tumors in women, and most of them are diagnosed as usual leiomyoma (UL). Exclusion of malignant disease is important in the management of SMTs. However, differentiation of SMTs remains difficult. In this study, we aimed to improve the preoperative diagnosis of SMTs. We examined 21 ULs, 7 atypical leiomyomas (ALs), and 6 leiomyosarcomas (LMSs), all of which were diagnosed by uterine tumor biopsy. Immunohistochemical findings (low-molecular-mass polypeptide 2 (LMP2) and Ki-67) and clinical features (serum lactate dehydrogenase level and menopause) were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in the expression of LMP2 and Ki-67 were observed between UL and AL and between UL and LMS. The combined LMP2 and Ki-67 score was significantly different between UL and AL, between UL and LMS, and between AL and LMS. The combined immunohistochemistry and clinical findings score (total score) was also significantly different between pathological types. The findings of this study suggest that the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis of SMTs may be improved by using a combination of immunohistochemical and clinical findings.

No abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the nursing psychoeducation program (NPE) for improving the acceptance of medication of inpatients with schizophrenia as well as their knowledge regarding their illness and the effects of medication on it. This study was a quasi-experimental study involving a convenience sample and was performed at the acute treatment units of two Japanese psychiatric hospitals. The subjects were recruited from among the inpatients being treated at the acute treatment units and were assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group took part in the NPE, and the control group received the standard treatments for schizophrenia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires; i.e., the Medication Perception Scale for Patients with Schizophrenia (MPS), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 Questionnaire (DAI-10), and Knowledge of Illness and Drugs Inventory. Forty-three patients (13 men and 30 women) agreed in writing to participate in this study. During pre-/postintervention comparisons, the total MPS score, the 'efficacy of medication' subscale score, and the total DAI-10 score exhibited significant group×time interactions.

Myxoma is a rare benign tumor, and occurs most commonly in the mandible and maxilla in the head and neck region. Myxoma of the larynx is extremely rare and is frequently misdiagnosed as a vocal polyp. We present the first female case of myxoma on a vocal cord and review the literature on this subject. The patient was 74 years old. She had undergone laryngomicrosurgery for a vocal cord polyp 20 years previously, but did not know the histological diagnosis. We performed laryngomicrosurgery for bilateral edematous vocal cords. Microscopic laryngoscopy demonstrated a mass in the submucosal space of the right vocal cord. The pathologic diagnosis of the mass was myxoma. Myxoma is a connective tissue tumor composed of multinucleate stellate cells suspended in an edematous, mucopolysaccharide-rich stroma. Since myxomas may infiltrate surrounding tissue, they have a high incidence of local recurrence. To prevent recurrence, myxoma should be surgically excised with surrounding normal tissue. Although no local recurrence has been detected, as myxoma is characterized by a slow growth rate, long-term follow-up is needed in this case.