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Background This study aimed to assess the acceptability and attitudes of women towards human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling and compare the effectiveness of two delivery modes utilising face-to-face and online website for cervical cancer screening in Hong Kong. Methods Women aged 30–65 years were invited to participate by distributing the study information pamphlets at the specialist clinics of a regional acute hospital. Those who were interested in participating were given the option to join directly face-to-face or through an online website. All participants provided informed consent and received self-sampling kits and acceptability questionnaires either immediately (face-to-face) or through the post after registering at the website (online). All participants were requested to collect their own vaginal samples using a swab which was then brushed on a DNA sample storage card and returned to the hospital either in person or by post. The self-collected samples were tested for high-risk HPV using the Sentis ™ HPV assay, a validated isothermal nucleic acid amplification real-time fluorescent detection assay. The primary outcome was the uptake rate of HPV self-sampling. Results Of the 1998 women recruited (1200 face-to-face, 798 online), 1377 returned their samples, giving an overall uptake rate of 68.9%. The uptake rate was significantly greater in the face-to-face mode than in the online mode (74.6% vs. 60.4%, p  < 0.001). The median age of the participants was 49 years, 43.7% were never or under-screened, and 7.1% had high-risk HPV detected. Overall, 82.1% of the participants reported self-sampling convenient, and 79.3% were not embarrassed when collecting self-samples. However, only 49.8% were confident that they had collected the self-samples correctly. Most (91.1%) of the participants expressed willingness to perform self-sampling again, mostly because it was simple (79.2%) and quick (56.3%). Conclusions HPV self-sampling can serve as an alternative primary screening method for cervical cancer in Hong Kong, especially for individuals who have not been adequately screened in the past. Both face-to-face and online website recruitment were associated with high acceptability, emphasising the potential benefits of utilising different platforms and strategies for reaching diverse populations.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancies owing to the lack of definitive symptoms until development of widespread metastases. Identification of novel prognostic and therapeutic targets is therefore an urgent need to improve survival. Here, we demonstrated high expression of the mitochondrial gatekeeping enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), in both clinical samples and cell lines of ovarian cancer. PDK1 expression was significantly associated with metastasis, reduced chemosensitivity, and poor overall and disease-free survival, and further highlighted as an independent prognostic factor. Silencing of PDK1 retarded lactate production, ovarian cancer cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, and consequently metastasis, concomitant with decreased α5β1 integrin expression. Phospho-kinase array profiling and RNA sequencing analyses further revealed reduction of JNK activation and IL-8 expression in PDK1-depleted cells. Conversely, PDK1 overexpression promoted cell adhesion via modulation of α5β1 integrins, along with cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis through activation of JNK/IL-8 signaling. PDK1 depletion additionally hindered tumor growth and dissemination in nude mice in vivo. Importantly, PDK1 levels were upregulated upon treatment with conditioned medium from omental tissues, which in turn promoted metastasis. Our findings suggest that PDK1, which is regulated by the tumor microenvironment, controls lactate production and promotes ovarian cancer cell metastasis via modulation of α5β1 integrin and JNK/IL-8 signaling. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate an association between PDK1 and survival in patients with ovarian cancer, supporting its efficacy as a valuable prognostic marker and therapeutic molecular target for the disease.

Ovarian cancer is an intra-abdominal tumor in which the presence of ascites facilitates metastatic dissemination, and associated with poor prognosis. However, the significance of metabolic alterations in ovarian cancer cells in the ascites microenvironment remains unclear. Here we show ovarian cancer cells exhibited increased aggressiveness in ascites microenvironment via reprogramming of lipid metabolism. High lipid metabolic activities are found in ovarian cancer cells when cultured in the ascites microenvironment, indicating a metabolic shift from aerobic glycolysis to β-oxidation and lipogenesis. The reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity due to the feedback effect of high energy production led to the activation of its downstream signaling, which in turn, enhanced the cancer growth. The combined treatment of low toxic AMPK activators, the transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors synergistically impair oncogenic augmentation of ovarian cancer. Collectively, targeting lipid metabolism signaling axis impede ovarian cancer peritoneal metastases. Rain Chen et al. show that lipid metabolism is highly active in ovarian cancer cells in an ascites microenvironment, causing increased aggressiveness. They show that combined treatment of AMPK activators and TAK1/FASN inhibitors could impair ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening and the best means of service delivery, with a specific focus on under-screened women, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using three arms of service delivery (social media, school outreach and underserved outreach), we recruited under-screened women aged 30–65 years from two population groups: the general public and specific underserved communities, from whom self-sampled specimens and optional clinician-sampled cervical specimens were obtained for HPV testing. A total of 521 self-sampling kits were distributed, of which 321 were returned, giving an overall uptake rate of 61.6%. The response rate was higher in the face-to-face underserved outreach (65.5%) compared to social media (22.8%) and school outreach (18.2%). The concordance for HPV detection between self-sampled and clinician-sampled specimens was 90.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 85.1–93.8%; Cohen’s kappa 0.59 (95% CI 0.42–0.75)]. Overall, 89.2% of women were willing to have self-sampling again. In conclusion, HPV self-sampling is an effective method for cervical cancer screening and can be considered as an option, particularly in women who are reluctant or unable to attend regular screening. Various service deliveries could be considered to increase participation in cervical cancer screening.

Primary prevention of cervical cancer is best achieved by vaccinating girls with a prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Despite the high efficacy of such vaccines, cervical cancer screening remains necessary because current vaccines do not offer full protection. Secondary prevention via cervical screening should target all women from age 25 years or at the onset of sexual activity, whichever occurs later, until age 64 years. Screening is recommended at 3-year intervals after two consecutive normal annual cytology results, or at 5-year intervals using HPV-based testing (either HPV co-test with cytology or HPV stand-alone). Women who have undergone hysterectomy with cervix removal for benign disease and have no prior history of cervical dysplasia can discontinue screening. Women with HPV-positive, cytology-negative co-test results should either undergo repeat co-testing in 12 months or immediate HPV16/18 genotyping. Immediate referral of women with positive stand-alone HPV test results for colposcopy without further triage is not recommended. A second triage test using cytology, genotyping for HPV16/18, or p16/Ki-67 dual-stain should be conducted to accurately identify women at high risk for high-grade lesions who thus require colposcopy referral. Women with HPV-positive, cytology-positive co-test results, or high-grade abnormal cytology results should be referred for colposcopy. Treatment with a loop electrosurgical excision procedure is recommended for women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). After HSIL treatment, long-term follow-up with HPV-based testing over 25 years is preferred. When cytology results show atypical glandular cells, colposcopy and sampling of the endocervix and endometrium are recommended.

Purpose A family sense of coherence is important to successful family adaptation during parental transition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between family sense of coherence, stress, family and marital functioning, and depressive symptoms among Chinese childbearing couples. Design A cross‐sectional design was used. Two hundred and twenty‐four Chinese childbearing couples were recruited at the antenatal clinic between January and May 2011. Methods Data were collected using the Family Sense of Competence Scale, Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Medical Outcome Study Family and Marital Functioning Measures, and General Health Questionnaire. Path analysis was employed. Findings Family sense of coherence had a direct impact on family and marital functioning and depressive symptoms among both couples. Family sense of coherence also mediated the effect of stress on family and marital functioning and depressive symptoms among the pregnant women. Conclusions The study provides evidence that family sense of coherence plays a significant role in promoting family functioning and reducing depressive symptoms during the transition to parenthood. Clinical Relevance Knowledge of the impact of family sense of coherence in parental transition can better equip healthcare professionals for developing couple‐based and culturally sensitive care to assist childbearing couples to cope with the stress and demands of the parental role, thereby promoting positive family functioning and well‐being.

This study aimed to evaluate the concordance of HPV results between the SentisTM HPV assay (Sentis) (BGI Group, Shenzhen, China), an isothermal amplification-based HPV assay, on self-collected and clinician-collected samples and the agreement of Sentis on self-collected samples with the BD OnclarityTM HPV assay (Onclarity) (Becton, Dickinson, and Company, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA), a PCR-based HPV assay, on clinician-collected samples. This was a prospective study of 104 women attending the colposcopy clinic for abnormal smears. After informed consent, participants self-collected vaginal samples before having clinician-collected cervical samples. Self-collected samples underwent HPV testing with Sentis (Self-Sentis HPV) and clinician-collected samples were tested with Sentis (Clinician-Sentis HPV) and Onclarity (Clinician-Onclarity), which was used as a reference standard. The concordance was assessed using Cohen’s kappa. The prevalence of HPV and the acceptability of self-sampling were also evaluated. The concordance rate between Self-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Sentis HPV was 89.8% with a kappa of 0.769. The concordance rate between Self-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Onclarity was 84.4% with a kappa of 0.643. The prevalence of HPV was 26.0% on Clinician-Onclarity, 29.3% on Clinician-Sentis HPV, and 35.6% on Self-Sentis HPV. Overall, 65% of participants would undergo self-sampling again. This was attributed to mainly not feeling embarrassed (68%) and being convenient (58%). Our study showed a substantial agreement between Self-Sentis HPV with Clinician-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Onclarity. Self-sampling was also shown to be a generally well-accepted method of screening.

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of colposcopic-directed biopsy and four-quadrant biopsy in detecting high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Women attending three women’s clinics for routine cervical screening were recruited. Colposcopy was arranged for women with any cytologic abnormalities greater than atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), two consecutive ASCUS results or positive HPV testing. During colposcopy, a cervical biopsy was taken from the most suspicious area, but more than one biopsy was allowed. Four-quadrant biopsies at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock and an endocervical curettage were also taken in all cases. A total of 1522 colposcopies were performed in 1311 subjects from June 2010 to August 2017, with 118 cases of high-grade CIN diagnosed. Colposcopic-directed biopsy detected 50.8% of the 118 high-grade CIN, while four-quadrant biopsy detected 86.4% (p < 0.0001). Twenty-seven cases (22.9%) of high-grade CIN were diagnosed in women with normal or unsatisfactory colposcopy. Among the 64 cases with low-grade colposcopic impression, four-quadrant biopsy detected significantly more high-grade CIN (53 cases, 82.8%) than colposcopic-directed biopsy (35 cases, 56.3%) (p = 0.0011). Four-quadrant cervical biopsies should be considered for all women with an abnormal smear or positive HPV testing, especially in patients with low-grade/normal/unsatisfactory colposcopy.

Scalp cooling can prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients. But data in gynecologic patients were scarce. The CHARM study was a single-center randomized study. Women planning for 3-weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel were randomized to either scalp cooling or usual clinical practice in 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was the efficacy in hair preservation after the completion of chemotherapy as assessed by the clinicians. Secondary endpoints included quality of life, the incidence of psychological distress, and safety. 142 women were invited to join the study but 56 refused. Finally, 44 women were randomized to the intervention group and 42 to the control group. The successful rate in preserving hair, defined as Dean score ≤ 2, upon completion of chemotherapy was significantly higher in the intervention group (29.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.4–46.9%) than the control group (0%, 95% CI 0–0%) ( p  = 0.002). Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly better global health status, physical functioning, and role functioning during the chemotherapy, lower incidence of psychological distress after cycle 2 of chemotherapy (27.8% vs. 62.2%, p  = 0.003), and lower median PHQ-ADS scores after cycle 2 (5.5 vs. 11.0, p  = 0.045) and 2–3 weeks post-chemotherapy (5.0 vs. 9.0, p  = 0.033). However, the intervention group had a 30% drop-out rate despite no major adverse events. Scalp cooling could reduce the incidence of CIA and potentially alleviate psychological distress and improve the QOL in gynecologic cancer patients. Further effort is needed to improve the acceptance and compliance rates in Asian population. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04168242).

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between family sense of coherence, social support, stress, quality of life and depressive symptoms among Chinese pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 267 Chinese pregnant women was recruited at the antenatal clinic and completed the Family Sense of Coherence Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Medical Outcome Study Short Form 12-Item Health Survey and General Health Questionnaire. Path analysis was employed. Results Family sense of coherence and social support had a direct impact on the mental health component of quality of life and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Family sense of coherence also mediated the effect of stress on quality of life and depressive symptoms. Conclusions The study provides evidence that family sense of coherence and social support play a significant role in promoting quality of life and reducing depressive symptoms during the transition to motherhood. Culturally competent healthcare should be developed to strengthen women’s family sense of coherence and foster social support to combat the stress of new motherhood, thereby promoting quality of life during that period of their lives.