Pre-Reconstruction Processing with the Cycle-Consist Generative Adversarial Network Combined with Attention Gate to Improve Image Quality in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.

The current study proposed and evaluated "residual squeeze and excitation attention gate" (rSEAG), a novel network that can improve image quality by reducing distortion attributed to artifacts. This method was established by modifying the Cycle Generative Adversarial Network (cycleGAN)-based generator network using projection data for pre-reconstruction processing in digital breast tomosynthesis. Residual squeeze and excitation were installed in the bridge of the generator network, and the attention gate was installed in the skip connection between the encoder and decoder.

Utility of human epidermal growth factor 2 heterogeneity as a prognostic factor in triple-negative breast cancer.

In some cases of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, HER2 expression is sporadically and strongly upregulated, a condition known as HER2 heterogeneity. We investigated the clinicopathological features of patients with HER2 heterogeneity in triple-negative breast cancers treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thirty-nine patients with triple-negative breast cancer who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy participated in this study.

Multicenter Randomized Open-Label Phase II Clinical Study Comparing Outcomes of NK105 and Paclitaxel in Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer.

Background: NK105 is a paclitaxel (PTX)-incorporating "core-shell-type" polymeric micellar nanoparticle formulation composed of block copolymers (polyethylene glycol and a polyamino acid). The efficacy and safety of NK105 and paclitaxel in advanced or recurrent breast cancer have never been compared at equivalent dose levels.

Patients And Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either NK105 or PTX in a 1:1 ratio.

Evaluation of a Generative Adversarial Network to Improve Image Quality and Reduce Radiation-Dose during Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.

In this study, we evaluated the improvement of image quality in digital breast tomosynthesis under low-radiation dose conditions of pre-reconstruction processing using conditional generative adversarial networks [cGAN (pix2pix)]. Pix2pix pre-reconstruction processing with filtered back projection (FBP) was compared with and without multiscale bilateral filtering (MSBF) during pre-reconstruction processing. Noise reduction and preserve contrast rates were compared using full width at half-maximum (FWHM), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) in the in-focus plane using a BR3D phantom at various radiation doses [reference-dose (automatic exposure control reference dose: AECrd), 50% and 75% reduction of AECrd] and phantom thicknesses (40 mm, 50 mm, and 60 mm).

Phase II Study of Nab-paclitaxel Plus Cyclophosphamide Plus Trastuzumab Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Early HER-2-positive Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant nab-paclitaxel plus cyclophosphamide (CPA) plus trastuzumab (AbraC-HER) in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: This was a single-arm, open-label, single-center prospective phase II study. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response rate (pCR rate).

Implications of Topoisomerase (TOP1 and TOP2α) Expression in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: We evaluated the usefulness of topoisomerases (TOPs) expression as prognostic predictors in breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively investigated sixty cases with primary breast cancer. We evaluated the tumor and non-tumor mRNA levels of TOP1 and TOP2α using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

The pathological complete response and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine expression in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Biomarkers that can accurately predict treatment response are required for indicating optimal neoadjuvant treatments. The current study assessed the predictive value of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) mRNA expression for the response to neoadjuvant nab-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) therapy in patients with breast cancer. It was hypothesized that SPARC expression can affect the response to albumin-bound taxanes, including nab-PTX since SPARC binds albumin with a high affinity.

Use of a Total Variation Minimization Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm to Evaluate Reduced Projections during Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacies of the adaptive steepest descent projection onto convex sets (ASD-POCS), simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART), filtered back projection (FBP), and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) total variation minimization iterative algorithms for reducing exposure doses during digital breast tomosynthesis for reduced projections.

Methods: Reconstructions were evaluated using normal (15 projections) and half (i.e.

Phase II Study of S-1 plus Trastuzumab for HER2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (GBCCSG-01).

Aim: Treatment strategies for patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have significantly progressed. The use of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2) protein, in combination with chemotherapy improves survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. S-1, an oral combination of fluorouracil derivatives, is widely used in Japan and is more convenient than intravenous drugs.

Source analysis of radiocesium in river waters using road dust tracers.

Following the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident, regional road dust, heavily contaminated with radiocesium, now represents a potential source of radiocesium pollution in river water. To promote effective countermeasures for reducing the risk from radiocesium pollution, it is important to understand its sources. This study evaluated the utility of metals, including Al, Fe, and Zn as road dust tracers, and applied them to analyze sources of Cs in rivers around Fukushima during wet weather.

Occurrence and partition ratios of radiocesium in an urban river during dry and wet weather after the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima.

After the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, radiocesium was released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and contaminated waters in urban areas near Tokyo. By intensive field monitoring during 3 years, this study investigated the temporal trends and the occurrence of radiocesium during dry and wet weather, and analyzed the variations in radiocesium during rainfall events and factors controlling them. Concentrations of particulate radiocesium decreased rapidly from May 2012 to March 2013 and reached an equilibrium in 2014.

Expression and mutations of KCNJ5 mRNA in Japanese patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas.

Context: Mutations of the KCNJ5 gene have recently been identified in patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA).

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the expression and mutations of the KCNJ5 gene in Japanese patients with APA.

Design And Patients: We sequenced KCNJ5 cDNA and measured KCNJ5 mRNA levels in 23 patients with APA operated on at Gunma University Hospital.

Activation of aromatase expression by retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (ROR) alpha in breast cancer cells: identification of a novel ROR response element.

Estrogen is a key regulator of the proliferation and differentiation of breast cancer cells. In addition to the estrogen supply from the ovary, estrogen is produced locally from androgen by aromatase. However, the regulation of aromatase gene expression in breast cancer has not yet been fully clarified.

Neoadjuvant weekly paclitaxel with and without trastuzumab in locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

A phase II clinical trial was conducted to examine the clinical and pathologic efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant paclitaxel with or without trastuzumab in women with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. A total of 49 patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (clinical stage IIB -IV) were included. Patients with HER2-negative tumors received weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 (days 1, 8, 15) followed by a 1-week break for 4 cycles.

Isolated retromammary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer without axillary lymph node involvement: a case report with a false-negative sentinel lymph node biopsy.

A 54-year-old woman visited our hospital with a palpable tumor in her left breast, which was diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast-conserving surgery was performed, in association with a sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and back-up dissection of the axillary lymph nodes. One dyed axillary lymph node with high radioactivity was defined as an SLN, and intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the SLN was negative for metastasis.

Augmentation of estrogen receptor-mediated transcription by steroid and xenobiotic receptor.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a key regulator of proliferation and differentiation in breast cancer cells. In the present study, the effect of steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) on 17/beta-estradiol (E2)-induced transcription through ERalpha was studied. SXR augmented ER-mediated transcription in the presence of E2 in MCF-7 breast cancer-derived cells and CV-1 fibroblast-derived cells.

[A phase I study of combination therapy with capecitabine and paclitaxel for patients with inoperable breast cancer or recurrent breast cancer].

A dose-escalation study was conducted for patients with inoperable or recurrent breast cancer in order to determine the recommended dose (RD) of capecitabine combined with a fixed dose of weekly paclitaxel. Capecitabine was administered twice daily from day 1 through day 14 combined with paclitaxel given on days 1 and 8, every 21 days. Dose-limiting toxicities(DLT)were evaluated during the first two cycles.

[Clinical benefit of antiestrogens for breast cancer].

Tamoxifen has significantly improved mortality of both pre- and postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated benefits of aromatase inhibitor therapy in adjuvant regimens for postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen is now expected to demonstrate potential benefits for bone health during endocrine treatment such as switching therapy with aromatase inhibitors because aromatase inhibitors are associated with a reduction in bone mineral density.

Tamoxifen activates CYP3A4 and MDR1 genes through steroid and xenobiotic receptor in breast cancer cells.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein, encoded by multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene, are responsible for the metabolism of endogenous steroids, prescribed drugs, and xenobiotics. Both genes are regulated by steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), a member of nuclear hormone receptors. Various endogenous steroids and drugs function as ligands of SXR.

Combined liver and inferior vena cava resection for adrenocortical carcinoma.

Purpose: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy, usually diagnosed at an advanced stage when it has invaded or adhered to adjacent organs. We report our experience of performing combined liver and inferior vena cava (IVC) resection for ACC.

Methods: Six patients with clinical stage III (n = 4) or IV (n = 2) ACC underwent combined resection of the liver and IVC.

Immunohistochemical expression of the beta-catenin-interacting protein B9L is associated with histological high nuclear grade and immunohistochemical ErbB2/HER-2 expression in breast cancers.

B9L/BCL9-2, a novel beta-catenin-interacting protein, plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis by translocating beta-catenin to the nucleus and enhancing beta-catenin-T-cell factor-mediated transcription. To elucidate the role of B9L in breast cancers, we studied B9L expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast immunohistochemically and compared it to the immunohistochemical expression of known proteins involved in breast carcinogenesis. In breast tissues, B9L immunoreactivity was present exclusively in the nuclei of normal and neoplastic ductal cells.

Human leukocyte antigen as a predictive factor of developing bilateral breast cancer in Japanese women.

To investigate the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type and bilateral breast cancer, a total of 213 female breast cancer patients were entered into this study. The lymphocyte cytotoxicity test was used for HLA typing. HLA frequency and haplotype antigen frequency were calculated with a microcomputer.

Significance of local recurrence as a prognostic factor in the treatment of breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate both the risk factors of local recurrence and the prognostic significance of local recurrence in relation to surgical treatment and/or radiation therapy of breast cancer. A total of 1574 primary breast cancer patients, undergoing surgical treatment and/or radiation therapy between 1980 and 2001, were included in this study. Radical mastectomy was performed in 1144 patients, subcutaneous mastectomy in 141 and breast-conserving therapy in 289.

The regulatory effect of tamoxifen on fibronectin expression in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells.

We investigated the regulatory effect of tamoxifen (TAM) on fibronectin (FN) expression in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. in vitro, MCF-7 cells were cultured with 17beta-estradiol (E2) and/or TAM. In the animal experiment in vivo, MCF-7 tumors were grown in ovariectomized athymic mice by implanting a sustained release E2 pellet.