Comparative analyses of erythroblast transformation specific-1 related gene expression before and after neoadjuvant bevacizumab therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of erythroblast transformation specific-1 related gene (ERG) in patients with glioblastoma (GB) before and after bevacizumab (Bev) therapy as a predictive and prognostic biomarker.

Methods: The present study used 58 GB tissues from 29 patients in 3 settings. Sixteen tumors were removed after neoadjuvant Bev administration (neoBev) and 13 represented newly diagnosed GB without previous Bev treatment (naïve Bev).

Kinetics of the hepatitis B core-related antigen and treatment responses in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir alafenamide.

Aim: An association between hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) kinetics and hepatocarcinogenesis during nucleoside (t)id analog (NA) treatment has recently been reported. HBcrAg kinetics and factors associated with HBcrAg response during tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) administration remain unclear. In this multicenter retrospective study, we aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of TAF in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on the reduction in HBcrAg levels.

Status of alternative angiogenic pathways in glioblastoma resected under and after bevacizumab treatment.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) acquires resistance to bevacizumab (Bev) treatment. Bev affects angiogenic factors other than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are poorly understood. We investigated changes in angiogenic factors under and after Bev therapy, including angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), placental growth factor (PLGF), fibroblast growth factor 2, and ephrin A2 (EphA2).

An exploratory prospective phase II study of preoperative neoadjuvant bevacizumab and temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Purpose: This multi-institutional phase I/II study was conducted to confirm the safety and explore the clinical utility of preoperative Bevacizumab (Bev) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GB).

Methods: Patients were enrolled based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings typically suggestive of GB. Preoperative Bev and temozolomide (TMZ) were administered at doses of 10 mg/kg on day 0 and 150 mg/m on days 1-5, respectively.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Conversion Therapy in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This retrospective multicenter study analyzed 244 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with lenvatinib (LEN) and atezolizumab + bevacizumab (Atezo + Bev) to examine the characteristics, treatment courses, and prognoses. The cases of patients who could achieve HCC downstaging from Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B or C to A or zero indicated the need for conversion therapy. The patients' prognoses with and without conversion therapy were compared.

Efficacy and safety of olaparib, olaparib plus bevacizumab and niraparib maintenance treatment in Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer.

Objective: To investigate whether maintenance treatment could be safely and effectively performed with olaparib, olaparib plus bevacizumab and niraparib in platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer at multiple institutions in Japan.

Methods: We investigated progression-free survival and adverse events in 117 patients with platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer treated with maintenance therapy.

Results: The median progression-free survival of 117 patients was 20.

Relationship Between Hematological Toxicities During Maintenance Treatment and During Chemotherapy Before Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Platinum-sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer.

Background/aim: To determine if maintenance treatment can be performed effectively and safely in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a multi-center study to investigate progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events (AEs) in 229 patients receiving maintenance treatment for platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.

Results: The median PFS in the 229 patients with maintenance treatment was 14.

Embryonic and fetal tiny pericardial fluid collections at less than 12 weeks of gestation.

Objectives: To describe embryonic and fetal tiny pericardial fluid collections (PFCs) using transvaginal sonography and HDlive Silhouette at less than 12 weeks of gestation.

Methods: During an 8-month period from November 2021 to June 2022, one-hundred and thirty transvaginal scans were performed for first-trimester dating, and eleven tiny PFCs of the embryo or fetus were identified at 8+4 - 11+3 weeks of gestation (three at 8, six at 9, and two at 11 weeks). HDlive Silhouette features of PFC were evaluated.

Fetal brain activity and the free energy principle.

Objectives: To study whether the free energy principle can explain fetal brain activity and the existence of fetal consciousness via a chaotic dimension derived using artificial intelligence.

Methods: In this observational study, we used a four-dimensional ultrasound technique obtained to collect images of fetal faces from pregnancies at 27-37 weeks of gestation, between February and December 2021. We developed an artificial intelligence classifier that recognizes fetal facial expressions, which are thought to relate to fetal brain activity.

Isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus in a fetus: HDlive Flow with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) study.

Objectives: To describe prevalence, outcome, color Doppler, and HDlive Flow (Silhouette) with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) features of isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus in Japanese fetuses at 28-31 + 6 weeks of gestation.

Methods: During a 37-month period, 3,150 fetal screenings were performed at 28-31 + 6 weeks of gestation. Isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus was evaluated using color Doppler and HDlive Flow (Silhouette) with STIC.

Artificial intelligence to understand fluctuation of fetal brain activity by recognizing facial expressions.

Objective: To examine whether artificial intelligence can achieve discoveries regarding fetal brain activity.

Methods: In this observational study, the authors collected images of fetal faces using a four-dimensional ultrasound technique obtained from singleton pregnancies of outpatients in routine practice at 27 to 37 weeks of gestation between February 1 and December 31, 2021. The authors developed an artificial intelligence classifier to recognize seven facial expressions of fetuses, then applied it to video files of fetal facial images to generate the probabilities, as confidence scores, of each expression category.

Multicenter retrospective study of initial treatment outcome and feasibility of initiating dose reduction of cabozantinib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Cabozantinib (CAB), a multiple kinase inhibitor, has been approved for use in patients with previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, real-world clinical data are lacking, particularly clinical data regarding dose modifications of CAB. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of CAB in uHCC and compared treatment outcomes between the full- and reduced-dose groups.