An endometrial receptivity scoring system basing on the endometrial thickness, volume, echo, peristalsis, and blood flow evaluated by ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

Establishing a successful pregnancy depends on the endometrium and the embryo. It is estimated that suboptimal endometrial receptivity account for one-third of implantation failures. Despite the indepth understanding of the processes associated with embryo-endometrial cross-talk, little progress has been achieved for diagnosis and treatments for suboptimal endometrial receptivity.

METHODS

This retrospective study included women undergoing their first frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles at our reproductive medicine center from March 2021 to August 2021. Transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was performed in the morning on the day of embryo transfer for all the thawed embryo transfer patients, to evaluate endometrial receptivity, including endometrial thickness, echogenicity, volume, movement and blood flow.

RESULTS

A total number of 562 patients of FET with 315 pregnancies (56.0%) was analyzed. It was found that only the echo of the endometrial central line was different between the pregnant group and non-pregnant group. Other parameters, such as endometrial thickness, volume, endometrial peristalsis, or the endometrial blood flow were not statistically different between the two groups. Then, according to the relationship between the different groups and the clinical pregnancy rate, a score of 0 to 2 was respectively scored. The sum of the scores for the six items was the patient's endometrial receptivity score. It showed that the clinical pregnancy rate increased as the endometrial receptivity score increased, and when the receptivity score reaches at least 5, the clinical pregnancy rate is significantly improved (63.7% versus 49.5%, P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

We developed an endometrial receptivity scoring system and demonstrated its validity. It may aid clinicians in choosing the useful marker in clinical practice and for informing further research.

Effect of Relative Humidity on the Thickness of Assembled Silica Colloidal Crystal Films

In order for the colloidal crystal films to be better applied, the influence of relative humidity on the preparation of silica colloidal crystal (SCC) films was systematically studied to solve the problem of different thicknesses of SCC films prepared by different batches under the conditions with the same temperature, concentration of suspension and diameter of the particles. SCC films with 190 nm particles were prepared by static vertical deposition method under different humidity regulated by saturated salt solutions, and the thickness of the films was obtained by an interferometric method. The results showed that the increase in humidity would reduce the thickness of the prepared films, which was believed to be caused by the decrease in evaporation rate after the wetting film absorbs water vapor. A new formula for calculating film thickness was proposed and verified from a series of experiments. With the control of humidity, high-quality SCC films with controlled thickness can be repeatedly prepared.

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of voltage-gated sodium channel haplotypes in the malaria vector Anopheles sinensis using a high-throughput amplicon sequencing approach

Background

Anopheles sinensis is a dominant vector for malaria transmission in Asian countries. Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) mutation-mediated knock-down resistance (kdr) has developed in many A. sinensis populations because of intensive and long-term use of pyrethroids. Our previous study showed that multiple mutations at position 1014 of the VGSC were heterogeneously distributed in A. sinensis populations across Sichuan, China.

Methods

To understand resistance genotypes at the haplotype level and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship of VGSC haplotypes, a cost-effective next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based amplicon sequencing approach was established to clarify haplotypes containing codon 1014 of the VGSC gene from a total of 446 adults collected in 12 locations of Sichuan, China.

Results

Nineteen (19) haplotypes were identified, including 11 wild 1014L, 6 resistance 1014F, and 2 resistance 1014C haplotypes. We found that resistance haplotypes of A. sinensis VGSC were widely distributed at frequencies ranging from 3.67 to 92.61%. The frequencies of the 1014C haplotype in the southeast of Sichuan (Luzhou, Guangan, and Suining) were relatively higher than those in other sampling locations. Phylogenetic analyses support that kdr-type mutation at position 1014 is not singly originated and resistance 1014C haplotypes evolve from TTT-encoding 1014F.

Conclusions

A cost-effective next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based amplicon sequencing approach has been established in this study. The data revealed the patchy distribution of VGSC resistance haplotypes with overall high frequencies in Sichuan, China. Phylogenetic analyses support multiple origins and sequential evolution (1014L → 1014F → 1014C) for kdr-type mutations in A. sinensis.

Graphical abstract

Construction of lipid layer and monitoring its digestion by optical interferometry

A method for real-time monitoring of lipid digestion based on photonic crystals formed from silica was developed. As an effective "net", the highly ordered silica colloidal crystal (SCC) film provides structural support for lipid payload. This method based on optical interferometric film kinetics was used to record the whole kinetics progress of olive oil hydrolysis by lipase in real time and calculate the kinetic Michaelis constant. The kinetic parameters were compared with the results determined by the titration method. The effects of bile salt content on lipase and olive oil layer were studied. This method provides a potential evaluation system for real-time digestion and degradation of edible oil in the food field. It also provides a basis for further real-time evaluation of lipid bioavailability in food systems by real-time recording the release and degradation of lipids in the food nano-matrix.

The Application of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy and Uniportal and Tubeless Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in the Multidisciplinary Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung disease-A Real-World Prospective Study

The application of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and uniportal and tubeless video-assisted thoracic surgery (UT-VATS) in the multidisciplinary diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not been demonstrated in real-world clinical practice. This prospective study included 137 patients with no definitive diagnosis who were the subject of two multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) sessions. As indicated in the first MDD, 67 patients underwent UT-VATS and 70 underwent TBLC. The specificity of biopsy information and its contribution to final MDD diagnosis were evaluated in the second MDD. The post-operative complications and hospitalization costs associated with the two biopsy methods were compared. UT-VATS was favored for patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD)/desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) and undefined idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (UIIP), while TBLC was preferred for pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). The spirometry parameters were better in patients who underwent UT-VATS than those who underwent TBLC. UT-VATS provided more specific pathological results than TBLC (85.7 vs 73.7%, p = 0.06). In patients initially diagnosed with UIIP, pathological information from UT-VATS was more clinically useful than that obtained from TBLC, although both tests contributed similarly to cases initially diagnosed as interstitial pneumonia with auto-immune features (IPAF)/connective tissue disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD). The safety of UT-VATS was comparable with TBLC although TBLC was cheaper during hospitalization (US$4,855.7 vs US$3,590.9, p < 0.001). multidisciplinary discussion decisions about biopsies were driven by current knowledge of sampling and diagnosis capacity as well as potential risks of different biopsy methods. The current MDD considered UT-VATS more informative than TBLC in cases initially diagnosed as UIIP although they were equally valuable in patients initially diagnosed with IPAF/CTD-ILD.

Construction of Optical Interference Fibrin and Thrombolysis Analysis with Silica Colloidal Crystal Films

Developing powerful real-time methods for monitoring the thrombolytic process is highly desirable for the early therapy of thrombus diseases. Herein, an optical interference fibrin was constructed, fabricated by assembling a 190 nm silica colloidal crystal on glass slides, for detecting a thrombolytic process through the shift of interference peaks caused by the variation of the thicknesses of a silica colloidal crystal film with loaded fibrin dissolution. The whole kinetic progress of thrombolysis by nattokinase and urokinase as thrombolytic drug models was recorded, and the kinetic data were calculated. Moreover, the developed method shows excellent sensitivity for the activity of nattokinase and urokinase with wide linear ranges of approximately 0.75-750 and 5-1000 units mL^-1, respectively. Thus, this method can be used as a real-time, low-cost, and simple system for monitoring the thrombolytic process of drugs, demonstrating huge potential in the development of treating thromboembolic diseases and screening drugs.

Early Follicular Phase Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Addition May Improve the Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Patients With "Unpredictable" Poor Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of early and mid-late follicular phase administration of 150 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in "unpredictable" poor ovarian response (POR) women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted on 67 patients with "unpredictable" POR in their first IVF/ICSI cycle receiving GnRH antagonist protocol. Patients were treated with a second IVF/ICSI cycle using the same GnRH antagonist protocol with the same starting dose of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) as the first cycle; a daily dose of 150 IU of hCG was administrated on either stimulation day 1 (Group A, n = 35) or day 6 (Group B, n = 32). The number of oocytes retrieved, number of usable embryos, serum level of estradiol (E₂) on day of hCG trigger, and clinical pregnant outcomes were studied.

RESULTS

The addition of 150 IU of hCG on either the first day or sixth day of stimulation increases the serum level of E₂, luteinizing hormone (LH), and hCG on the day of hCG trigger. Only the use of 150 IU of hCG on the first stimulation day improved the number of oocytes retrieved, mature of oocytes, and usable embryos, but not the addition of hCG on stimulation day 6. Implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate showed an increasing trend in patients receiving 150 IU of hCG in the early phase compared with mid-late phase, even thought there was no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that adding 150 IU of hCG in subsequent GnRH antagonist cycle in "unpredictable" poor responders is associated with the improvement of response to stimulation. Furthermore, early follicular phase addition of 150 IU of hCG significantly increased the number of oocytes retrieved and usable embryos than did the mid-late addition of the same dose.

Efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for infertile women before embryo transfer: meta-analysis

This meta-analysis was intended to evaluate the effects of intrauterine perfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) on the pregnancy outcomes including clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates, live birth rates and miscarriage rates of infertile women who were undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. By searching Pubmed, Embase database, five articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included, and 1173 women were enrolled (intrauterine PBMC group: n = 514; NO-PBMC group: n = 659). For the entire IVF/ICSI population and one or two embryo transfer failure patients, there was no significant difference in endometrial thickness, embryo implantation rates, live birth rates, and miscarriage rates between the PBMC group and NO-PBMC group. Although the clinical pregnancy rates of the PBMC group were higher than that of the NO-PBMC group, the confidence interval was close to the line of unity. As for the patients with three or more implantation failures, the clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates and live birth rates were much higher in the PBMC group than that of the NO-PBMC group. In summary, current evidence suggests that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in patients who have three or more implantation failures.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? An increasing number of studies have shown that immune cells play an important role in embryo transfer. There is no reliable evidence to confirm the clinical efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of PBMC.What do the results of this study add? The current evidence suggests that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in patients who have three or more implantation failures.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? To the best of our knowledge, this meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the effect of intrauterine perfusion of PBMC on pregnancy outcomes before embryo transfer. Our study indicated that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC significantly increased clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates, and live birth rates in patients who failed more than three implants.

Pregnancy Outcomes of Single/Double Blastocysts and Cleavage Embryo Transfers: a Retrospective Cohort Study of 24,422 Frozen-Thawed Cycles

This study aims to evaluate the effect of blastocyst- and cleavage-stage embryo transfers with different numbers of transferred embryos on pregnancy outcomes in China. This was a retrospective cohort study that collected 24,422 frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles in two affiliated hospitals of Peking University Health Science Center between January 2015 and May 2018. They were divided into four groups: the single cleavage-stage embryo transfer group (C-1) (763 cycles), double cleavage-stage embryo transfer group (C-2) (13,004 cycles), single blastocyst-stage embryo transfer group (B-1) (7913 cycles), and double blastocyst-stage embryo transfer group (B-2) (2046 cycles). Of the four groups, the live birth rate was the lowest in the C-1 group (11.8%) while it was the highest in the B-2 group (33.6%). However, the B-2 group was accompanied with higher risks of miscarriages, maternal complications, twin births, preterm births, and low birth weight. Compared with the C-2 group, the B-1 group had a lower live birth rate (23.0 vs 29.0%; aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.72-0.85), but also had a lower risk for twin births (1.9 vs 23.4%; aOR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.04-0.09) and preterm births (9.6 vs 16.1%; aOR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.41-0.65). The probability of live birth in the B-1 group declined from 0.25 at 20-29 years old to 0.08 at > 40 years old, while the probabilities of adverse outcomes went up with maternal age. It can be concluded that single-blastocyst embryo transfer seems to be the best choice for all maternal ages. This group of embryo transfer has significantly reduced adverse neonatal outcomes. Especially, women with younger maternal age in this group appear to prominently benefit from single-blastocyst transfer.

Real-Time and Label-Free Monitoring of Biomolecular Interactions within Complex Biological Media Using a Silica Colloidal Crystal Film

A method capable of real-time and label-free monitoring of biomolecular interactions within whole blood, without any sample separation and label process, is described. This was accomplished using silica colloidal crystal (SCC) films, three-dimensionally ordered silica particle arrays whose interference effect is a function of their optical thickness, as interference-sensitive substrates. Interactions between immunoglobulin G (IgG) and protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (SPA) conjugates with changes in the optical thickness of SCC films were monitored spectroscopically. Successful detection of IgG was achieved in the buffer and whole blood. This system constitutes a simple label-free analysis showing great potential in monitoring interactions between biomolecules in complex biological media.

Targeted Imaging of CD206 Expressing Tumor-Associated M2-like Macrophages Using Mannose-Conjugated Antibiofouling Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Although tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been shown to promote cancer progression, their roles in tumor development and resistance to therapy remain to be fully understood, mainly because of the lack of a good approach to evaluate the dynamic changes of heterogeneous macrophages in their residing microenvironment. Here, we report an approach of using antibiofouling PEG-b-AGE polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for targeted imaging of mannose receptor (CD206)-expressing M2-like TAMs. Antibiofouling polymer coatings block non-specific phagocytosis of IONPs by different cells but enable ligand-mediated CD206⁺ M2-like macrophage targeting after surface functionalizing with mannose (Man-IONP). Costaining tissue sections of the 4T1 mouse mammary tumors using an anti-CD206 antibody and fluorescent dye (TRITC)-labeled Man-IONP showed 94.7 ± 4.5% colocalization of TRITC-Man-IONPs with the anti-CD206 antibody. At 48 h after intravenous (i.v.) injection of Man-IONPs, magnetic resonance imaging of mice bearing orthotopic 4T1 mammary tumors showed a significantly larger IONP-induced decrease of the transverse relaxation time (T ₂) in tumors with 29.4 ± 1.5 ms compared to 12.3 ± 3.6 ms in tumors that received non-targeted IONP probes (P < 0.001). Immunofluorescence-stained tumor tissue sections collected at 6, 18, and 24 h after i.v. administration of the nanoprobes revealed that Man-IONPs specifically targeted CD206⁺ M2-like macrophages in various tumor areas at all time points, while nonconjugated IONPs were absent in the tumor after 18 h. Thus, antibiofouling Man-IONPs demonstrated the capability of explicitly imaging CD206⁺ M2-like macrophages in vivo and potentials for investigating the dynamics of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment and delivering therapeutics targeting M2-like TAMs.

The interstitial lung disease spectrum under a uniform diagnostic algorithm: a retrospective study of 1,945 individuals

Background

Reported data on the disease spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) of China are sparse and varied. We aimed to investigate the spectrum of ILDs and the distribution of diagnostic methods under a uniform diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled ILDs cases from Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health (GIRH). All cases were classified into specific subgroups of ILDs according to updated guidelines.

Results

A total of 1,945 subjects were enrolled from January 2012 to December 2017. The mean age was 57.9 years, and 1,080 (55.5%) patients were male. The most common subtype of ILDs was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, 20.3%), followed by interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF, 17.9%), connective tissue disease associated ILD (CTD-ILD, 18.3%) and unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (UIIP, 14.7%). A total of 818 (42.1%) patients underwent lung biopsy in order to obtain a histological diagnose. TBLB was performed in 565 (29.0%) patients, eleven of whom underwent SLB because TBLB failed to obtain lung samples. SLB was performed in 213 (11.0%) patients and TBCB was performed in 51 (2.6%) patients. Among them, histological results were considered clinically helpful in 722 (88.3%) cases, and provided definitive histopathological diagnoses in 368 cases. Surgical lung biopsy (SLB) was performed in 213 (10.9%) subjects, while 115 (54.0%) cases were performed among the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). Among SLB cases in IIP, the highest rate of SLB was desquamative interstitial pneumonia/respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease (DIP/RB-ILD, 10/10), lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP, 9/9), followed by cryptogenic organizing (COP, 18/26), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP, 22/53), IPF (43/395), UIIP (13/285).

Conclusions

IPF was the most common ILDs in our ILD center, followed by IPAF, CTD-ILD and UIIP. Histological information may help to establish diagnostic algorithm in ILD.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

To compare the ovarian responses after administration of two recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) preparations under gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue downregulation, we conducted a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, assessor-blind, active-controlled, parallel group study. The primary outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved. The secondary outcomes included total dose and duration of r-FSH administered, oocyte quality, blood estradiol levels, follicular development, fertilization rates, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates (biochemical, clinical, and ongoing). A total of 451 patients with infertility were randomized to receive either Follitrope™ Prefilled Syringe or Gonal-F® Pen for ovarian stimulation. The mean number of oocytes retrieved was 14.9 in the FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe group, and 12.8 in the Gonal-F® Pen group. The 95% confidence interval in the oocyte number difference between the groups was [-0.1, 4.2], demonstrating that FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe was not inferior to Gonal-F® Pen. The clinical pregnancy rates (FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe vs. Gonal-F® Pen: 55.4% vs. 51.9%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (44.1% vs. 43.0%) were similar between the groups. No clinically significant adverse events were observed in either group. In summary, our study indicates that FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe is safe and efficacious for ovarian stimulation.

Cancer cell's neuroendocrine feature can be acquired through cell-cell fusion during cancer-neural stem cell interaction

Advanced and therapy-resistant prostate tumors often display neural or neuroendocrine behavior. We assessed the consequences of prostate cancer cell interaction with neural cells, which are rich in the human prostate and resident of the prostate tumor. In 3-dimensional co-culture with neurospheres, red fluorescent human LNCaP cells formed agglomerates on the neurosphere surface. Upon induced neural differentiation, some red fluorescent cells showed morphology of fully differentiated neural cells, indicating fusion between the cancer and neural stem cells. These fusion hybrids survived for extended times in a quiescent state. A few eventually restarted cell division and propagated to form derivative hybrid progenies. Clones of the hybrid progenies were highly heterogeneous; most had lost prostatic and epithelial markers while some had acquired neural marker expression. These results indicate that cancer cells can fuse with bystander neural cells in the tumor microenvironment; and cancer cell fusion is a direct route to tumor cell heterogeneity.

Probing and Enhancing Ligand-Mediated Active Targeting of Tumors Using Sub-5 nm Ultrafine Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Rationale: "Active targeting" based on the ligand-target affinity is a common strategy to precisely deliver nanoparticle (NP) imaging probes or drug carriers to the diseased tissue. However, such ligand-mediated active targeting inevitably takes place with prerequisite "passive targeting", driven by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Thus, the efficiency of active targeting in relation to off-targeted unbound NPs is of great importance in quantitative imaging of tumor biomarkers and delivery. With the notion that easy clearance of off-targeted uIONPs may lead to enhanced active targeting and tumor accumulation, we examined the NP size effect on "active targeting" of the transferrin receptor (TfR) using transferrin (Tf)-conjugated sub-5 nm (3 nm core) ultrafine iron oxide NPs (uIONPs) and larger IONPs (30 nm core). Methods: Green fluorescent dye (FITC)-labeled active targeting uIONPs (FITC-Tf-uIONPs) and red fluorescent dye (TRITC)-labeled passive targeting uIONPs (TRITC-uIONPs) were prepared. FITC-Tf-IONPs and TRITC-IONPs were used as comparison for the NP size effect. Multiphoton imaging, confocal fluorescence imaging, histological staining and computational analysis were applied to track different types of NPs in tumors at 1, 3 and 24 hours after co-injection of equal amounts of paired NPs, e.g., active targeting FITC-Tf-uIONPs and non-targeting TRITC-uIONPs, or FITC-Tf-IONPs and TRITC-IONPs into the same mice bearing 4T1 mouse mammary tumors. Results: Active targeting uIONPs exhibited an almost 6-fold higher level of tumor retention with deeper penetration comparing to non-targeting uIONPs at 24 hours after co-injection. However, accumulation of active targeting IONPs with a 30-nm core is only about 1.15-fold higher than non-targeting IONPs. The enhanced active targeting by uIONPs can be attributed to the size dependent clearance of unbound off-targeted NPs, as majority off-targeted uIONPs were readily cleared from the tumor by intravasation back into tumor blood vessels likely due to high interstitial pressure, even though they are not favorable for macrophage uptake. Conclusion: Ligand-mediated active targeting improves the delivery and accumulation of the sub-5 nm NPs. The improvement on active targeting is size-dependent and facilitated by NPs with sub-5 nm core sizes. Thus, sub-5 nm NPs may serve as favorable platforms for development of NP-based molecular imaging probes and targeted drug carriers.

The effect of salpingectomy on the ovarian reserve and ovarian response in ectopic pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Salpingectomy is routinely performed in ectopic pregnancy (EP). However, the effect of the surgery on the ovarian reserve and ovarian response in EP patients is still uncertain and has not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to provide a comparison of the ovarian reserve and ovarian response between the pre-salpingectomy and post-salpingectomy in EP patients.

METHODS

Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for all relevant articles published up to December 2018. We retrieved the basic information and data of the included studies. The data was analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK).

RESULTS

A total of 243 articles were extracted from the databases, and 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The ovarian reserve including anti-Mullerian hormone (inverse variance [IV] -0.7 [95% confidence interval [CI] -0.63, 0.49]), antral follicle count (IV 1.7 [95% CI -2.02, 5.42]) and basal follicle stimulating hormone (IV 0.02 [95% CI -0.63, 0.68]) was comparable between the pre-salpingectomy group and the post-salpingectomy group. The amount of gonadotropin was significantly higher in the post-salpingectomy group when compared with that in the pre-salpingectomy group (IV -212.65 [95% CI -383.59, -41.71]). There was no significant difference in the left parameters of the ovarian response including the duration of gonadotropin stimulation (IV -0.32 [95% CI -0.76, 0.12]), the estrogen level on the human chorionic gonadotropin triggering day (IV -4.12 [95% CI -236.27, -228.04]) and the number of retrieved oocytes (IV 0.35 [95% CI -0.76, 1.46]) between 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that salpingectomy has no negative effect on the ovarian reserve and ovarian response.

Mediterranean diet improves embryo yield in IVF: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Mediterranean diet (MediDiet) had been reported to be beneficial to human health. However the relationship between diet pattern and outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was scarcely researched. This study was aimed to explore the correlation between MediDiet pattern of infertile women and their clinical outcomes of IVF cycles.

METHODS

An observational prospective cohort study was conducted in the reproductive center from September 2016 to December 2017. Seven hundred infertile women about to undergo IVF treatment were asked to conduct a questionnaire survey. Patients were assigned to higher MediDiet adherence group or lower MediDiet adherence group according to their Mediterranean diet scores. Laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes were compared and those were different between groups were further analyzed for their relationship with MediDiet adherence.

RESULTS

A total of 590 women were finally included in the study. According to MediDiet scores, 228 participants were categorized as higher MediDiet adherence group and 362 others as lower MediDiet adherence group. No significant differences were found in baseline characteristics between groups. Higher MediDiet adherence group showed larger number of embryos available (8.40 ± 5.26 vs 7.40 ± 4.71, P = 0.028). Clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate were similar between the two groups. In further correlation tests and multivariate linear regression analysis, number of fertilized oocytes and embryo yield were positively correlated to MediDiet adherence of participants.

CONCLUSION

Infertile women with greater adherence to Mediterranean diet pattern were likely to obtain more embryos available in IVF cycle.

A cohort study of both human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and recombinant luteinizing hormone addition at early follicular stage in in vitro fertilization outcome: A STROBE-compliant study

At present, the precise role of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) supplementation at an early time of follicular phase on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intra cytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes remains uncertain.Here infertile women of normal ovarian function undergoing their first cycle of IVF/ICSI were studied and were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group 1, ovarian stimulation with 150IU recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) alone. Group 2, patients received 75IU rFSH and 75IU HMG. Group 3 patients were given 150IU rFSH and 75IU rLH.There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics, ovarian response, the biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates among the 3 groups. No significant differences were found in biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates between the patients whose LH levels were lower than 0.75 mIU/ml and those above this threshold in group 1. Furthermore, there were also no significant differences in biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates among the 3 group patients whose LH level lower than 0.75 mIU/ml.The results showed that either the addition of HMG or rLH supplementation at an early time of follicular phase produce no significant benefit on IVF outcome in patients with normal ovarian function.

Interference Effect of Silica Colloidal Crystal Films and Their Applications to Biosensing

With the aim to develop better and more reliable interference effective substrates, silica colloidal crystal films with different sphere diameters and film thicknesses were successfully made by an improved vertical deposition method and a systematic investigation of their reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) properties are presented in this work. The influence of silica sphere diameter and film thickness on the RIfS signals was studied. The results showed that the film thickness is the key factor of RIfS signals. An RIfS system was set up by using a silica colloidal crystal film as an interference effective substrate. The influence of film thickness on the response to refractive index changes of the proposed system was also investigated. When the influence of film thickness on RIfS signals and refractive index response we considered together, silica colloidal crystal films with a thickness between 4 and 6 μm were chosen for sensor construction. Monitoring the digestive process of gelatin with trypsin was also demonstrated by combining gelatin-modified silica colloidal crystal films with RIfS. The system showed excellent sensitivity with a wide linear range and could achieve real-time measurement of each process. It has been proved that this is a promising method to construct biosensors using silica colloidal crystal films as interference-sensitive substrates.

Targeted Drug Delivery and Image-Guided Therapy of Heterogeneous Ovarian Cancer Using HER2-Targeted Theranostic Nanoparticles

Cancer heterogeneity and drug resistance limit the efficacy of cancer therapy. To address this issue, we have developed an integrated treatment protocol for effective treatment of heterogeneous ovarian cancer. Methods: An amphiphilic polymer coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle was conjugated with near infrared dye labeled HER2 affibody and chemotherapy drug cisplatin. The effects of the theranostic nanoparticle on targeted drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, non-invasive magnetic resonance image (MRI)-guided therapy, and optical imaging detection of therapy resistant tumors were examined in an orthotopic human ovarian cancer xenograft model with highly heterogeneous levels of HER2 expression. Results: We found that systemic delivery of HER2-targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles carrying cisplatin significantly inhibited the growth of primary tumor and peritoneal and lung metastases in the ovarian cancer xenograft model in nude mice. Differential delivery of theranostic nanoparticles into individual tumors with heterogeneous levels of HER2 expression and various responses to therapy were detectable by MRI. We further found a stronger therapeutic response in metastatic tumors compared to primary tumors, likely due to a higher level of HER2 expression and a larger number of proliferating cells in metastatic tumor cells. Relatively long-time retention of iron oxide nanoparticles in tumor tissues allowed interrogating the relationship between nanoparticle drug delivery and the presence of resistant residual tumors by in vivo molecular imaging and histological analysis of the tumor tissues. Following therapy, most of the remaining tumors were small, primary tumors that had low levels of HER2 expression and nanoparticle drug accumulation, thereby explaining their lack of therapeutic response. However, a few residual tumors had HER2-expressing tumor cells and detectable nanoparticle drug delivery but failed to respond, suggesting additional intrinsic resistant mechanisms. Nanoparticle retention in the small residual tumors, nevertheless, produced optical signals for detection by spectroscopic imaging. Conclusion: The inability to completely excise peritoneal metastatic tumors by debulking surgery as well as resistance to chemotherapy are the major clinical challenges for ovarian cancer treatment. This targeted cancer therapy has the potential for the development of effective treatment for metastatic ovarian cancer.

Ordered Silica Nanosphere Templates: Large-Area Assembly and Characterization

Ordered silica nanosphere templates, which are usually known as colloidal crystals, are most widely used to prepare ordered porous nanostructure materials among the templates to fabricate nanostructure materials. We present here a method for the simultaneous assembly of multiple ordered silica nanosphere templates with same quality, in which a glass trough together with a stand was used as the experimental cell. Two different diameters of silica colloidal particles were selected for our experiments, namely ∼190 nm and ∼280 nm. The growth process, thickness and optical properties of films of silica nanospheres on substrates were studied. The particle sedimentation and solvent evaporation both play a role in determining particle volume fractions. In addition, the standard deviation of the diameter of the particles affects the optical properties of the films along the growth direction. There was almost no difference observed in our measurements of the film thickness and optical properties for both the same regions of different films and different regions of the same film along the direction perpendicular to the growth direction. The elucidation of the growth process and characterization of the film properties achieved in this study could help us to obtain better quality templates. This is the first systematic study of the evolution of the thickness and optical properties of ordered silica nanosphere films formed by a simultaneous assembly process.

Molecular Identification of Rickettsia Species in Haemaphysalis Ticks Collected from Southwest China

Rickettsia species are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria that can infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans, through arthropod vectors such as Ixodid ticks. These ticks are a threat to humans and animals because they are the primary vectors or reservoirs for rickettsiae, which is of public health importance. In this study, we report the identification and percent of positive of Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from Cangxi County, Southwest China. Haemaphysalis longicornis comprised 48.4% of the 188 ticks collected followed by Haemaphysalis flava (29.3%), H. doenitzi (12.2%), and Haemaphysalis hystricis (10.1%). A total of 63 (33.5%) ticks were positive with Rickettsia spp., with 48 (57%) of those being H. longicornis and 15 (27.3%) being H. flava. The other two tick species, however, did not have any ticks positive for rickettsial DNA. In addition, two different Rickettsia spp. were identified using gltA and ompA as molecular markers. The sequence of Rickettsia sp. infecting H. longicornis ticks was found to be identical to the Rickettsia sequences from Northeastern China and Japan (KF728367, AB516964). Phylogenetic analyses using these molecular markers support the notion that Rickettsia species from H. flava is the most close to a member of the Candidatus Rickettsia gannanii subgroup. The high percentage of Rickettsia positive in this Southwest China region suggests potential public health threat in the future and warrants to be monitored.