Tumor burden with AFP improves survival prediction for TACE-treated patients with HCC: An international observational study.

Background & Aims: Current prognostic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are not extensively validated and widely accepted. We aimed to develop and validate a continuous model incorporating tumor burden and biology for individual survival prediction and risk stratification.

Methods: Overall, 4,377 treatment-naive candidates for whom TACE was recommended, from 39 centers in five countries, were enrolled and divided into training, internal validation, and two external validation datasets.

Glycobiology in osteoclast differentiation and function.

Glycans, either alone or in complex with glycan-binding proteins, are essential structures that can regulate cell biology by mediating protein stability or receptor dimerization under physiological and pathological conditions. Certain glycans are ligands for lectins, which are carbohydrate-specific receptors. Bone is a complex tissue that provides mechanical support for muscles and joints, and the regulation of bone mass in mammals is governed by complex interplay between bone-forming cells, called osteoblasts, and bone-resorbing cells, called osteoclasts.

Cervical elastography: finding a novel predictor for improving the prediction of preterm birth in uncomplicated twin pregnancies.

Objective: This study set out to investigate a novel ultrasound parameter using cervical elastosonography for improving the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) in twin pregnancies.

Study Design: The study was comprised of 106 twin pregnancies from October 2020 to January 2022 in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. They were divided into two groups according to gestational age (GA) at delivery (delivery < 35 weeks and delivery ≥ 35 weeks).

Lenvatinib with or without Concurrent Drug-Eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Unresectable, Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Real-World, Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Lenvatinib is the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of lenvatinib plus drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) versus lenvatinib alone in real-world practice.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 142 consecutive patients who received lenvatinib plus DEB-TACE and 69 patients who received lenvatinib alone as first-line treatment from 15 Chinese academic centers from November 2018 to November 2019.

Optimal time point of response assessment for predicting survival is associated with tumor burden in hepatocellular carcinoma receiving repeated transarterial chemoembolization.

Objectives: Objective response rate (ORR) under mRECIST criteria after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a well-perceived surrogate endpoint of overall survival (OS). However, its optimal time point remains controversial and may be influenced by tumor burden. We aim to investigate the surrogacy of initial/best ORR in relation to tumor burden.

Exploratory Analysis to Identify Candidates Benefitting from Combination Therapy of Transarterial Chemoembolization and Sorafenib for First-Line Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: The benefits of combining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib (TACE-S) over TACE alone for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain controversial. Yet, such populations are heterogeneous in terms of baseline characteristics.

Objective: To investigate the predictors of survival benefits from added sorafenib and identify the potential candidates for TACE-S.

Validation and evaluation of clinical prediction systems for first and repeated transarterial chemoembolization in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A Chinese multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The treatment outcome of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies greatly due to the clinical heterogeneity of the patients. Therefore, several prognostic systems have been proposed for risk stratification and candidate identification for first TACE and repeated TACE (re-TACE).

Aim: To investigate the correlations between prognostic systems and radiological response, compare the predictive abilities, and integrate them in sequence for outcome prediction.

Development of a prognostic score for recommended TACE candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicentre observational study.

Background & Aims: Previous prognostic scores for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were mainly derived from real-world settings, which are beyond guideline recommendations. A robust model for outcome prediction and risk stratification of recommended TACE candidates is lacking. We aimed to develop an easy-to-use tool specifically for these patients.

Diagnostic differences between patients opting for non-invasive prenatal testing and patients having traditional prenatal diagnosis.

Objective: To analyze possible missed chromosomal aberrations by utilization of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing.

Methods: A retrospective study of two cohorts who underwent amniocentesis or cffDNA testing was conducted. A total of 15,220 patients were included in amniocentesis group and 9,821 patients in cffDNA group.

S-1 for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver neoplasm worldwide. Based on its potent inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), S-1 is expected to be more active than other fluoropyrimidines against HCC with DPD activity. This systematic review was aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of S-1 for treatment of advanced HCC.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) plus S-1 for the treatment of BCLC stage B hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to TACE.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus S-1 for the treatment of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage B HCC refractory to TACE.

Material And Methods: 26 patients meeting the eligibility criteria were enrolled. TACE was given on day 1, and S-1 on days 2-15.

S-1 plus sorafenib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus sorafenib for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched using the terms "Hepatocellular Carcinoma" or "HCC" or "Hepatoma" or "Liver cancer" and "S-1" and "Sorafenib" or "Nexavar".

Metronomic S-1 chemotherapy plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE): a promising treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to TACE.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of metronomic S-1 chemotherapy combination with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to TACE.

Methods: Twenty six patients met the eligibility criteria and were enrolled. TACE was performed on day 1, and metronomic S-1 chemotherapy on days 2-15.

Coriolus versicolor mushroom polysaccharides exert immunoregulatory effects on mouse B cells via membrane Ig and TLR-4 to activate the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

This study aimed to characterize the immunopotentiating effects and immune receptors for Coriolus versicolor mushroom polysaccharides (CVP), a Chinese medicinal fungus that exerts anti-tumor activities by enhancing host immunity. Proliferation assays were used to determine whether CVP could activate splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis and IgM and IgG detection were used to characterize CVP-binding cells.

Combination therapy with sorafenib and radiofrequency ablation for BCLC Stage 0-B1 hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy using Sorafenib and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with curative intent for all detectable lesions in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage 0-B1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with HCC from 12 centers were enrolled in this retrospective study; 64 patients who received Sorafenib plus RFA (Sorafenib-RFA) were compared with a control group treated with RFA alone. The two patient groups were selected with a predefined criterion and matched in terms of their clinical and tumor characteristics at baseline.

[Efficacy and safety of chemotherapy combined with interstitial (125)I seed implantation brachytherapy in unresectable stage IIIa/IIIb non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy combined with insterstitial (125)I seed implantation brachytherapy in unresectable staged IIIa/IIIb non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: Seventy six patients with staged IIIa/IIIb non-small cell lung cancer were included in this study. Among them 37 cases were of the study group, treated with NP/GP scheme synchronization chemotherapy combined with (125)I seed implantation brachytherapy, while 39 cases in the control group were given NP/GP scheme chemotherapy.

Upregulation of Flk-1 by bFGF via the ERK pathway is essential for VEGF-mediated promotion of neural stem cell proliferation.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) constitute the cellular basis for embryonic brain development and neurogenesis. The process is regulated by NSC niche including neighbor cells such as vascular and glial cells. Since both vascular and glial cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), we assessed the effect of VEGF and bFGF on NSC proliferation using nearly homogeneous NSCs that were differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells.

In vitro neuronal differentiation of cultured human embryonic germ cells.

Human embryonic germ (hEG) cells, which have been advanced as one of the most important sources of pluripotent stem cells [the other one being human embryonic stem cells], can be propagated in vitro indefinitely in the primitive undifferentiated state while being capable of developing into all three germ layer derivatives, hence have become anticipated developing novel strategies of tissue regeneration and transplantation in the treatment of degenerative diseases. In the experiments here, we derived hEG cells from cultured human primordial germ cells (PGCs) of 6- to 9-week-post-fertilization embryos. They satisfied the criteria previously used to define hEG cells, including the expression of markers characteristic of pluripotent cells-abundant alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, stage specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-1(+), SSEA-3(-), SSEA-4(+), TRA-1-60(+), TRA-1-81(+), Oct-4(+), and hTERT(+), the retention of normal karyotypes, and possessing pluripotency by forming embryoid bodies (EBs) in vitro.