Objective: To evaluate gender differences in mentee’s preference for mentoring styles and topics in academic medicine in Japan.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of mentees at 6 graduate schools of medicine in Japan from December 2011 through January 2012. The study participants were 1700 Japanese-speaking graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The primary outcome was the percentage of respondents who desired to be mentored with a particular style or topic.
Results: A total of 676 （227 women） mentees responded to the survey. Women were less likely than men to prefer a hierarchical mentoring relationship （men, 82%; women, 71%; p＝0.001） but were more likely to desire a mentor for career consultation （men, 51%; women, 64%; p＝0.001）. Women were more likely than men to want guidance in developing a research portfolio （men, 85%; women, 90%; p＝0.04）, in computer skills／statistical skills （men, 68%; women, 81%; p＝0.001）, and in long-term career planning （men, 38%; women, 50%; p＝0.003）.
Conclusion: Women mentees in Japan express different preferences for mentoring styles and topics from men. Mentors in Japan must take these differences into consideration.

Objective: There is no consensus on whether platinum doublet chemotherapy or lenvatinib and pembrolizumab (LEN/PEM) is superior for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis and adverse events in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM at our institution for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and had a history of platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2013 and August 2023. Results: During the study period, 11 regimens were identified in the platinum doublet chemotherapy group, and 11 regimens were identified in the LEN/PEM group. The objective response rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/ PEM groups were 36.4% and 54.5% (P=0.67), respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/PEM groups were 27.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%-40.7%) and 70.0% (95% CI, 55.5%-84.5%), respectively. The differences were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of histology, prior lines of chemotherapy, platinum-free intervals, and regimens revealed that the LEN/PEM group had significantly better PFS rates. Conclusion Treatment with LEN/PEM resulted in significantly longer PFS than that of treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. However, further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.

Objective: There is no consensus on whether platinum doublet chemotherapy or lenvatinib and pembrolizumab (LEN/PEM) is superior for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis and adverse events in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM at our institution for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and had a history of platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2013 and August 2023. Results: During the study period, 11 regimens were identified in the platinum doublet chemotherapy group, and 11 regimens were identified in the LEN/PEM group. The objective response rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/ PEM groups were 36.4% and 54.5% (P=0.67), respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/PEM groups were 27.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%-40.7%) and 70.0% (95% CI, 55.5%-84.5%), respectively. The differences were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of histology, prior lines of chemotherapy, platinum-free intervals, and regimens revealed that the LEN/PEM group had significantly better PFS rates. Conclusion Treatment with LEN/PEM resulted in significantly longer PFS than that of treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. However, further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.

Objective: There is no consensus on whether platinum doublet chemotherapy or lenvatinib and pembrolizumab (LEN/PEM) is superior for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis and adverse events in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM at our institution for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and had a history of platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2013 and August 2023. Results: During the study period, 11 regimens were identified in the platinum doublet chemotherapy group, and 11 regimens were identified in the LEN/PEM group. The objective response rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/ PEM groups were 36.4% and 54.5% (P=0.67), respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/PEM groups were 27.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%-40.7%) and 70.0% (95% CI, 55.5%-84.5%), respectively. The differences were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of histology, prior lines of chemotherapy, platinum-free intervals, and regimens revealed that the LEN/PEM group had significantly better PFS rates. Conclusion Treatment with LEN/PEM resulted in significantly longer PFS than that of treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. However, further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.

Objective: There is no consensus on whether platinum doublet chemotherapy or lenvatinib and pembrolizumab (LEN/PEM) is superior for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis and adverse events in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM at our institution for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and had a history of platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2013 and August 2023. Results: During the study period, 11 regimens were identified in the platinum doublet chemotherapy group, and 11 regimens were identified in the LEN/PEM group. The objective response rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/ PEM groups were 36.4% and 54.5% (P=0.67), respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/PEM groups were 27.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%-40.7%) and 70.0% (95% CI, 55.5%-84.5%), respectively. The differences were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of histology, prior lines of chemotherapy, platinum-free intervals, and regimens revealed that the LEN/PEM group had significantly better PFS rates. Conclusion Treatment with LEN/PEM resulted in significantly longer PFS than that of treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. However, further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.

Objective: There is no consensus on whether platinum doublet chemotherapy or lenvatinib and pembrolizumab (LEN/PEM) is superior for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis and adverse events in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who received platinum doublet chemotherapy or LEN/PEM at our institution for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and had a history of platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2013 and August 2023. Results: During the study period, 11 regimens were identified in the platinum doublet chemotherapy group, and 11 regimens were identified in the LEN/PEM group. The objective response rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/ PEM groups were 36.4% and 54.5% (P=0.67), respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the platinum doublet chemotherapy and LEN/PEM groups were 27.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8%-40.7%) and 70.0% (95% CI, 55.5%-84.5%), respectively. The differences were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of histology, prior lines of chemotherapy, platinum-free intervals, and regimens revealed that the LEN/PEM group had significantly better PFS rates. Conclusion Treatment with LEN/PEM resulted in significantly longer PFS than that of treatment with platinum doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. However, further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

RibotestMycoplasma (Ribotest™), a rapid antigen detection assay for ribosomal protein L7/L12 for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, has become available in Japan. However, the clinical utility of Ribotest remains controversial. We enrolled 1,140 children admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and March 2016 due to community-acquired pneumonia. We prospectively obtained two throat swabs during the acute phase; DNA detection using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and antigen detection using Ribotest were performed for each sample. We also collected paired serum samples during the acute and convalescent phases for determining M. pneumoniae antibody titers using the particle agglutination test. M. pneumoniae pneumonia was diagnosed through either a positive LAMP assay or a 4-fold increase in antibody titers. Overall, 237 children (21%) were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. We evaluated the utility of Ribotest both in the non-epidemic period (January 2014–July 2015) and the epidemic period (August 2015–March 2016). Sensitivity of Ribotest for M. pneumoniae pneumonia was 23% in the non-epidemic period and 22% in the epidemic period, respectively. When serology was used as the standard, sensitivity of Ribotest was 25% in the non-epidemic period and 22% in the epidemic period, significantly lower than those of the LAMP assay (80% and 91%, respectively). Ribotest yielded false-positive results in 16 cases in the non-epidemic period and in 6 cases in the epidemic period. Thus, positive predictive values of Ribotest were significantly lower in the non-epidemic period (50%) than in the epidemic period (86%). Multivariate analysis showed that a shorter duration of fever before sampling (OR = 1.7) and a higher incidence of co-infection with other pathogens (OR = 29.4) were observed in children showing false-positive results of Ribotest. Thus, we conclude that Ribotest is unsuitable for rapid diagnosis of pediatric M. pneumoniae pneumonia.