Assessment of the uterus with three-dimensional ultrasound in women undergoing ART

Ultrasound Evaluation of Pelvic Floor Function after Transumbilical Laparoscopic Single-Site Total Hysterectomy Using Deep Learning Algorithm

This study was aimed at investigating the ultrasound based on deep learning algorithm to evaluate the rehabilitation effect of transumbilical laparoscopic single-site total hysterectomy on pelvic floor function in patients. The bilinear convolutional neural network (BCNN) structure was constructed in the ultrasound imaging system. The spatial transformer network (STN) was used to preserve image information. Two algorithms, BCNN-R and BCNN-S, were proposed to remove sensitive information after ultrasonic image processing, and then, subtle features of the image were identified and classified. 80 patients undergoing transumbilical laparoscopic single-site total hysterectomy in hospital were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group, with 40 cases in each group. In the control group, conventional ultrasound was used to assess the image of pelvic floor function in patients undergoing laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS); in the observation group, ultrasound based on deep learning algorithm was used. The postoperative incision pain score, average postoperative anus exhaust time, average hospital stay, and postoperative satisfaction of the two groups were evaluated, respectively. The highest accuracy of constructed network BCNN-S was 88.98%; the highest recall rate of BCNN-R was 88.51%; the highest accuracy rate of BCNN-R was 97.34%. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and exhaust time were similar between the two groups, and the difference had no statistical significance ( $P>0.05$ ). The numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were compared, the observation group had less pain, the difference between the two groups had statistical significance ( $P<0.05$ ), and the postoperative recovery was good. The BCNN based on deep learning can realize the imaging of the uterus by ultrasound and realize the evaluation of pelvic floor function, and the probability of pelvic floor dysfunction is small, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Diagnosis of Congenital Uterine Abnormalities: Practical Considerations

As most congenital uterine abnormalities are asymptomatic, the majority of them are detected incidentally. While most women with uterine anomalies have a normal reproductive outcome, some may experience adverse reproductive outcomes. Accurate diagnosis and correct classification help in the appropriate counselling of women about their potential reproductive prognosis and risks and for planning any intervention. Evaluation of the internal and external contours of the uterus is the key in making a diagnosis and correctly classifying a uterine anomaly. Considering this, the gold standard test has been the combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy historically, albeit invasive. However, 3D ultrasound has now become the diagnostic modality of choice for uterine anomalies due to its high degree of diagnostic accuracy, less invasive nature and it being comparatively less expensive. While 2D ultrasound and HSG are adequate for screening for uterine anomalies, MRI and combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are reserved for diagnosing complex Mullerian anomalies. Imaging for renal anomalies is recommended if a uterine anomaly is diagnosed.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound-generated singlet oxygen induces telomere damage leading to glioma stem cell awakening from quiescence

Cancer stem cells, quiescent and drug resistant, have become a therapeutic target. Unlike high-intensity focused ultrasound directly killing tumor, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a new noninvasive physical device, promotes pluripotent stem cell differentiation and is primarily applied in tissue engineering but rarely in oncotherapy. We explored the effect and mechanism of LIPUS on glioma stem cell (GSC) expulsion from quiescence. Here, we observed that LIPUS led to attenuated expression of GSC biomarkers, promoted GSC escape from G0 quiescence, and significantly weakened the Wnt and Hh pathways. Of note, LIPUS transferred sonomechanical energy into cytochrome c and B5 proteins, which converted oxygen molecules into singlet oxygen, triggering telomere crisis. The in vivo and in vitro results confirmed that LIPUS enhanced the GSC sensitivity to temozolomide. These results demonstrated that LIPUS "waked up" GSCs to improve their sensitivity to chemotherapy, and importantly, we confirmed the direct targeted proteins of LIPUS in GSCs.

The Role of Endometrial Volume and Endometrial and Subendometrial Vascularization Parameters in a Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycle

The role of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography of the endometrium in assisted reproduction is still far from clear. In this retrospective cohort study, transvaginal three-dimensional power Doppler examinations were performed 30 min before frozen-thawed embryo transfer. After pregnancy tests, two cohorts were established: P (pregnant, n = 31) and NP (nonpregnant, n = 31). The study only included nullipara with no uterine abnormalities who were undergoing infertility treatment at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Endocrinology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria. The main outcome measures were the vascularization flow index (VFI), flow index (FI), and vascularization index (VI) in the endometrium/subendometrium, assessed using Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™), and the endometrial volume. A total of 62 patients were enrolled in the study, forming two cohorts (pregnant, P; nonpregnant, NP). There were no significant differences between the two cohorts with regard to demographic data, numbers of embryos transferred, or embryo grading, but there was a significant difference in endometrial volume (cohort P, 3.17 ± 0.84 mL; cohort NP, 2.36 ± 0.9 mL; P = 0.001) and the pregnancy rate rises with larger volume. No differences were observed in the vascularization parameters FI, VFI, and VI in the endometrium and subendometrium. In the cohort of pregnant patients, there were 26 (41.9%) live births, with 21 term deliveries (80.8%). The endometrial volume was larger in the cohort of pregnant patients. Measurements were performed 30 min before embryo transfer, and no differences were observed in vascularization parameters in the subendometrium and endometrium.

The Investigation and Management of Adenomyosis in Women Who Wish to Improve or Preserve Fertility

The management of adenomyosis remains a great challenge to practicing gynaecologists. Until recently, hysterectomy has been the only definitive treatment in women who have completed child bearing. A number of nonsurgical and minimally invasive, fertility-sparing surgical treatment options have recently been developed. This review focuses on three aspects of management, namely, (1) newly introduced nonsurgical treatments; (2) management strategies of reproductive failures associated with adenomyosis; and (3) surgical approaches to the management of cystic adenomyoma.