Objective::To determine whether an association exists between group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and preeclampsia among pregnant Black women.Methods::This retrospective cross-sectional study involved Black women who gave birth at State University of New York Downstate Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017. Data were collected from the Obstetric Department, including delivery date, time, mode of delivery, age of the mother, weeks of gestation at delivery, and antepartum complications. The GBS test results were originally determined using the eSwab transport system. Preeclampsia was defined based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria for the periods 2010-2012 and 2013-2017. The primary outcome was whether GBS was associated with the outcome of preeclampsia in the population of Black women. Covariates, including smoking status, gestational age, parity, body mass index, maternal age, and presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were examined as potential confounders. Chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used, presenting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals ( P < 0.050), analyzed with SAS on Demand for Academics (SAS Institute, Inc., NY). Results::Among the 8,019 Black women included in this study, GBS-positive women ( n = 977) had a 53% reduction in the likelihood of being diagnosed with preeclampsia compared to GBS-negative women (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.70). We did not find evidence of differences in the distribution of smoking habits ( P = 0.783) or maternal age ( P = 0.107) between GBS-positive and GBS-negative women. However, the GBS-positive women tended to be less likely to have a preterm delivery (9.62% (94/977) vs. 24.24% (1707/7042), P < 0.001), less likely to be nulliparous (33.37% (326/977) vs. 37.87% (2667/7042), P = 0.006), and less likely to be obese (51.38% (502/977) vs. 55.30% (3894/7042), P < 0.001) compared with GBS-negative women. In contrast, GBS-positive women were more likely to have a comorbid infection than their counterparts: HSV (5.94% (58/977) vs. 2.63% (185/7042), P < 0.001) and HIV (1.54% (15/977) vs. 0.82% (58/7042), P = 0.028). Conclusion::We found a reduced likelihood of preeclampsia among women who were positive for GBS at delivery. Given the cross-sectional nature of our study, more research is needed to further explore this association.

Objective::To determine whether an association exists between group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and preeclampsia among pregnant Black women.Methods::This retrospective cross-sectional study involved Black women who gave birth at State University of New York Downstate Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017. Data were collected from the Obstetric Department, including delivery date, time, mode of delivery, age of the mother, weeks of gestation at delivery, and antepartum complications. The GBS test results were originally determined using the eSwab transport system. Preeclampsia was defined based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria for the periods 2010-2012 and 2013-2017. The primary outcome was whether GBS was associated with the outcome of preeclampsia in the population of Black women. Covariates, including smoking status, gestational age, parity, body mass index, maternal age, and presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were examined as potential confounders. Chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used, presenting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals ( P < 0.050), analyzed with SAS on Demand for Academics (SAS Institute, Inc., NY). Results::Among the 8,019 Black women included in this study, GBS-positive women ( n = 977) had a 53% reduction in the likelihood of being diagnosed with preeclampsia compared to GBS-negative women (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.70). We did not find evidence of differences in the distribution of smoking habits ( P = 0.783) or maternal age ( P = 0.107) between GBS-positive and GBS-negative women. However, the GBS-positive women tended to be less likely to have a preterm delivery (9.62% (94/977) vs. 24.24% (1707/7042), P < 0.001), less likely to be nulliparous (33.37% (326/977) vs. 37.87% (2667/7042), P = 0.006), and less likely to be obese (51.38% (502/977) vs. 55.30% (3894/7042), P < 0.001) compared with GBS-negative women. In contrast, GBS-positive women were more likely to have a comorbid infection than their counterparts: HSV (5.94% (58/977) vs. 2.63% (185/7042), P < 0.001) and HIV (1.54% (15/977) vs. 0.82% (58/7042), P = 0.028). Conclusion::We found a reduced likelihood of preeclampsia among women who were positive for GBS at delivery. Given the cross-sectional nature of our study, more research is needed to further explore this association.

Objective: In early-stage endometrial cancer, aggressive histologic types (grade 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell, carcinosarcomas, undifferentiated, mixed, and other unusual types) are associated with an increased risk of distant metastases and worse survival. However, the optimal adjuvant treatment for these patients remains controversial. The present study investigated the outcomes of different adjuvant treatments in patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer who underwent surgery followed by either adjuvant treatment or observation from 2000 to 2020 at two tertiary centers in Korea and Taiwan. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional-hazards models. We also analyzed recurrence patterns after different adjuvant treatments. Results: A total of 272 patients were identified; 204 received adjuvant treatment postoperatively, whereas 68 only underwent observation. Adjuvant treatment was not associated with improved RFS or OS. Non-endometrioid histologic types (p=0.003) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI, p=0.002) were associated with worse RFS, whereas only non-endometrioid histologic types impacted OS (p=0.004). In subgroup analyses, adjuvant treatment improved OS in patients with LVSI (p=0.020) and in patients with both LVSI and grade 3 endometrioid histologic type (p=0.007). We found no difference in locoregional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing adjuvant treatment or observation. Conclusion In this study, the addition of adjuvant treatment was associated with an OS benefit for patients with LVSI, especially those with grade 3 endometrioid tumors.

Objective: In early-stage endometrial cancer, aggressive histologic types (grade 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell, carcinosarcomas, undifferentiated, mixed, and other unusual types) are associated with an increased risk of distant metastases and worse survival. However, the optimal adjuvant treatment for these patients remains controversial. The present study investigated the outcomes of different adjuvant treatments in patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer who underwent surgery followed by either adjuvant treatment or observation from 2000 to 2020 at two tertiary centers in Korea and Taiwan. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional-hazards models. We also analyzed recurrence patterns after different adjuvant treatments. Results: A total of 272 patients were identified; 204 received adjuvant treatment postoperatively, whereas 68 only underwent observation. Adjuvant treatment was not associated with improved RFS or OS. Non-endometrioid histologic types (p=0.003) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI, p=0.002) were associated with worse RFS, whereas only non-endometrioid histologic types impacted OS (p=0.004). In subgroup analyses, adjuvant treatment improved OS in patients with LVSI (p=0.020) and in patients with both LVSI and grade 3 endometrioid histologic type (p=0.007). We found no difference in locoregional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing adjuvant treatment or observation. Conclusion In this study, the addition of adjuvant treatment was associated with an OS benefit for patients with LVSI, especially those with grade 3 endometrioid tumors.

Objective: In early-stage endometrial cancer, aggressive histologic types (grade 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell, carcinosarcomas, undifferentiated, mixed, and other unusual types) are associated with an increased risk of distant metastases and worse survival. However, the optimal adjuvant treatment for these patients remains controversial. The present study investigated the outcomes of different adjuvant treatments in patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer who underwent surgery followed by either adjuvant treatment or observation from 2000 to 2020 at two tertiary centers in Korea and Taiwan. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional-hazards models. We also analyzed recurrence patterns after different adjuvant treatments. Results: A total of 272 patients were identified; 204 received adjuvant treatment postoperatively, whereas 68 only underwent observation. Adjuvant treatment was not associated with improved RFS or OS. Non-endometrioid histologic types (p=0.003) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI, p=0.002) were associated with worse RFS, whereas only non-endometrioid histologic types impacted OS (p=0.004). In subgroup analyses, adjuvant treatment improved OS in patients with LVSI (p=0.020) and in patients with both LVSI and grade 3 endometrioid histologic type (p=0.007). We found no difference in locoregional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing adjuvant treatment or observation. Conclusion In this study, the addition of adjuvant treatment was associated with an OS benefit for patients with LVSI, especially those with grade 3 endometrioid tumors.

Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are known for their capacity to simulate various physiological impacts of estro‑ gen in the human body. Our research evaluated the effects of isoflavone-enriched soybean leaves (IESL) on collagen fiber loss prompted by ovariectomy in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, thereby simulating menopausal changes in women.IESL, bolstered with an increased concentration of isoflavones through a metabolite farming process, contained a significantly higher amount of isoflavones than regular soybean leaves. Our results indicate that the administration of IESL can counteract the decrease in relative optical density and dermal thickness of collagen fibers caused by ova‑ riectomy in SD rats, with more pronounced effects observed at higher isoflavone dosages. These outcomes suggest that soybean leaves rich in isoflavones may hold potential benefits in combating collagen degradation and skin aging symptoms related to menopause. Further research is needed to fully understand the exact molecular pathways at play and the potential clinical relevance of these findings.

Objective: The real-world INFORM study analyzed sociodemographics, treatment patterns and clinical outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Australia, South Korea (S.Korea) and Taiwan preceding incorporation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors into clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective data from patients diagnosed with EOC (high-grade serous EOC for Taiwan) between January 2014 and December 2018 with ≥12 months follow-up from diagnosis were analyzed descriptively. Survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier with two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of the 987 patients (Australia, 223; S.Korea, 513; Taiwan, 251), 98% received platinum-based chemotherapy (CT). In S.Korea and Taiwan 76.0% and 78.9% respectively underwent primary cytoreductive surgery; in Australia, 56.5% had interval debulking surgery. Bevacizumab was included in primary/maintenance therapy for 22.4%, 14.6% and 6.8% of patients in Australia, S.Korea and Taiwan, respectively. Patients receiving bevacizumab were high-risk (reimbursement policy) and achieved similar real-world progression-free survival (PFS) compared with CT only. Overall, the median real-world PFS (months; 95% CI) was similar across Australia (16.0 [14.63–18.08]), S.Korea (17.7 [16.18–19.27]) and Taiwan (19.1 [17.56–22.29]). Conclusion This study reveals poor prognosis despite differences in demographics and treatment patterns for patients with EOC across Asia-Pacific suggesting the need for biomarker-driven novel therapies to improve outcomes.