The expression levels of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer and their correlation with drug resistance-related genes MDR1, TOPOII, and ERCC1

OBJECTIVES

To explore the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase (IKKβ) in epithelial ovarian cancer and the correlation analysis with multi-drug resistance-related genes 1 (MDR1), topoisomerase II (TOPOII) and nucleotide excision repair cross complementary group 1 (ERCC1).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer group (50 cases), ovarian benign tumor group (30 cases), and normal ovary group (10 cases). The expression levels of NF-κB, IKKβ, MDR1, TOPOII and ERCC1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for comparison of numerical data. Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were carried out for analysis of non-numerical data.

RESULTS

The levels of NF-κB, IKKβ, MDR1 and ERCC1 mRNA and protein were increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of TOPOII were decreased (P<0.05) in the epithelial ovarian cancer group compared to the normal ovary and benign ovarian tumor groups. The expression of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer was significantly increased in patients with higher tumor stage, lower differentiation and presence of lymph node metastasis and positively correlated with MDR1 expression. NF-κB and IKKβ were negatively correlated with the expression of TOPOII and antagonized each other with TOPOII.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of NF-κB and IKKβ was positively correlated with the expression of MDR1, and negatively correlated with the expression of TOPOII. The correlation of NF-κB, IKKβ and resistance related genes, including MDR1, TOPOII, ERCC1, can predict the resistance of chemotherapy individuals to chemotherapy.

Impact of subchorionic hematoma on pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

We conducted a retrospective cohort study with the aim of investigating the relationship between subchorionic hematoma (SCH) and pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We reviewed all RPL patients who came to the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to June 2021. Two groups were divided according to the presence or absence of SCH. Live birth rate was considered as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted. Of 274 RPL women included in the final analysis, 49 (17.9%) had SCH. The occurrence of thrombophilia was significantly higher in SCH group than that in non-SCH group (38.8% vs 24.4%, P=0.041). There were no significant differences between the two groups in live birth rate, adverse pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy complications. Among women with SCH, live birth rate or SCH duration was not associated with continued use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) after the diagnosis of SCH. Our findings suggest that SCH does not reduce live birth rate in RPL women or increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes or pregnancy complications. Continued use of LDA after the detection of a hematoma is unlikely to affect SCH duration or the live birth rate.

Efficacy and Safety of the Bushen-Shugan Method in Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Recurrent Miscarriage Complicated by Anxiety and Depression: A Prospective Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the Bushen-Shugan (BSSG) method on pregnancy outcomes, serum D-dimer (D-D), platelet aggregation rate, homocysteine (Hcy) and antithrombin III (AT-III) in patients with recurrent miscarriage complicated by anxiety and depression.

METHODS

From December 2016 to December 2019, 100 patients with recurrent miscarriage combined with anxiety and depression were enrolled in our study, and a prospective randomized trial was carried out. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or the BSSG group via the random number table method. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, laboratory indicators and psychological changes were compared in the 2 groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, the primary, secondary and total TCM syndrome scores in the 2 groups were lower, and the scores in the BSSG group were significantly lower than in the control group. The clinical curative effect in the BSSG group was significantly higher (92% vs 76%) than in the control group. The levels of β-HCG, P, E2 and AT-III in the 2 groups were higher, while levels of D-D, platelet aggregation rate and Hcy were lower than before treatment. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores were lower after treatment in both groups, and the scores in the BSSG group were significantly lower than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The BSSG method may be worthy of consideration because it improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent miscarriage complicated by anxiety and depression.

Enhanced Effect of Qing-Ying Decoction Concurrent with Secukinumab in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis

Both Qing-Ying decoction (QYD), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and secukinumab, a fully humanized anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, have been used to treat patients with plaque psoriasis. The combined application of TCM and biologics in the treatment of psoriasis, however, has not been investigated. We enrolled a total of 68 patients with plaque psoriasis in our prospective study, and randomly assigned them to either the study group (treated with secukinumab plus QYD), or the control group (treated with secukinumab alone). After 12- and 16-week treatment, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and the TCM score were significantly reduced in both the study and the control groups. However, the reduction in PASI and TCM scores was more significant in the study group than in the control group (12-week: PASI: 5.29 ± 0.27 vs 8.87 ± 0.38, respectively; P < .01; TCM: 5.83 ± 0.21 vs 12.39 ± 1.23, respectively; P < .01; 16-week: PASI score: 4.76 ± 0.18 vs 8.36 ± 0.31, respectively; TCM score: 4.98 ± 0.19 vs 11.27 ± 1.13, respectively; P < .01). The total treatment efficacy rate was significantly higher in the study group (97.1%) than the control group (76.5%; P = .012). The number of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells was increased, while the number of CD8+ T cells was decreased after treatment in both groups, with more significant changes in the study group (P < .01). QYD may enhance the therapeutic outcome of secukinumab in the treatment of plaque psoriasis by further suppressing chronic skin inflammation, as well as reducing adverse events and patients' psychological stress.