Role of endometrial blood flow assessment with color Doppler energy in predicting pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET cycles

This is a prospective study of 182 women (38 yrs or younger) undergoing IVF-ET. Endometrial thickness, echo pattern and blood flow on transvaginal ultrasonography were recorded eight hours prior to hCG administration. The patients were divided into three groups: A (n = 10) with undetectable endometrial blood flow; B (n = 82) with sub-endometrial blood flow; C (n = 90) with both endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow. According to IVF-ET outcomes, all patients were re-divided into three groups: 1 non-pregnancy (n = 92); 2 intrauterine pregnancy with live fetus (n = 70); 3 others (n = 20 including biochemical pregnancy, embryonic diapause, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage). Intrauterine pregnancy with live fetus in Group C (62.2%) was much higher than that in Group A and B (0% and 17.1%, p less than or equal to 0.001). The implantation rate (33.2%) was much higher than that in Group A and B (0% and 19.90%, p less than or equal to 0.001). The pulsatility index, resistance index, and S/D of endometrial spiral arteries were 0.1 +/- 0.2, 0.6 +/- 0.1 and 2.5 +/- 0.4 in Group 2, which were much lower than those in Group 1 and Group 3 (p1-2 less than 0.001, p2-3 less than 0.05). The patients with detectable endometrial blood flow had higher clinical pregnancy rates and implantation rates

NQO1 targeting prodrug triggers innate sensing to overcome checkpoint blockade resistance

Lack of proper innate sensing inside tumor microenvironment (TME) limits T cell-targeted immunotherapy. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is highly enriched in multiple tumor types and has emerged as a promising target for direct tumor-killing. Here, we demonstrate that NQO1-targeting prodrug β-lapachone triggers tumor-selective innate sensing leading to T cell-dependent tumor control. β-Lapachone is catalyzed and bioactivated by NQO1 to generate ROS in NQO1high tumor cells triggering oxidative stress and release of the damage signals for innate sensing. β-Lapachone-induced high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release activates the host TLR4/MyD88/type I interferon pathway and Batf3 dendritic cell-dependent cross-priming to bridge innate and adaptive immune responses against the tumor. Furthermore, targeting NQO1 is very potent to trigger innate sensing for T cell re-activation to overcome checkpoint blockade resistance in well-established tumors. Our study reveals that targeting NQO1 potently triggers innate sensing within TME that synergizes with immunotherapy to overcome adaptive resistance

MicroRNA array and microarray evaluation of endometrial receptivity in patients with high serum progesterone levels on the day of hCG administration

Background: To determine the effect of higher progesterone (P) level on endometrial receptivity. Methods: This was a prospective analysis conducted in the Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital. All patients received IVF treatment and canceled embryo transfer in the same cycle and were divided into group 1 (normal P; 7 patients) and group 2 (elevated P; 12 patients). Endometrial biopsies were performed 6 days after oocyte retrieval. The global miRNA and mRNA gene expressions in endometrial biopsies were investigated with a V4.0 miRNA probe and 22 K Human Genome Array. Fold ratios were derived to compare gene regulation between the groups. Spp1 and Ang gene expression was selected to verify the array results by RT-PCR and the protein expression of osteopontin and VEGF was determined using an immunohistochemical method. Results: There were 4 miRNA (all down-regulated) and 22 mRNA (13 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated) exhibiting differential expression between the groups on the microRNA and microarray chips. miRNA-451, Spp1, and Ang expression in RT-PCR verified the array results. Osteopontin and VEGF were also shown to have positive expression in the endometrium. Conclusions: Data from microRNA and microarray analysis suggests dissimilar endometrial receptivity in patients with high P levels on the day of hCG, and elevated osteopontin and decreased VEGF had poor pregnancy rates.Endocrinology & MetabolismReproductive BiologySCI(E)PubMed21ARTICLE29

Acupuncture for Visceral Pain: Neural Substrates and Potential Mechanisms

Visceral pain is the most common form of pain caused by varied diseases and a major reason for patients to seek medical consultation. Despite much advances, the pathophysiological mechanism is still poorly understood comparing with its somatic counterpart and, as a result, the therapeutic efficacy is usually unsatisfactory. Acupuncture has long been used for the management of numerous disorders in particular pain and visceral pain, characterized by the high therapeutic benefits and low adverse effects. Previous findings suggest that acupuncture depresses pain via activation of a number of neurotransmitters or modulators including opioid peptides, serotonin, norepinephrine, and adenosine centrally and peripherally. It endows us, by advancing the understanding of the role of ion channels and gut microbiota in pain process, with novel perspectives to probe the mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia. In this review, after describing the visceral innervation and the relevant afferent pathways, in particular the ion channels in visceral nociception, we propose three principal mechanisms responsible for acupuncture induced benefits on visceral pain. Finally, potential topics are highlighted regarding the future studies in this field

Effectiveness and safety of Shenqi Fuzheng injection combined with platinum-based chemotherapy for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI) combined with platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsSeven electronic databases, including CNKI and Wanfang, were comprehensively searched to screen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until May 1, 2022. The quality of each trial was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and systematic reviews were conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3, and the results were expressed as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The primary outcome measures were objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). The secondary outcome measures were quality of life and toxicity. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the number of days of SFI single-cycle treatment and combined PBC regimen.ResultsA total of 44 RCTs involving 3475 patients were included in the study. The meta-analysis results showed that, compared with PBC alone, SFI combined with PBC significantly improved the ORR (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.18–1.37, P < 0.00001), DCR (RR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08–1.15, P < 0.00001), and quality of life (RR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.31–1.52, P < 0.00001). It also reduced chemotherapy-induced hemoglobin reduction (RR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.48–0.67, P < 0.00001), leukopenia (RR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.53–0.71, P < 0.00001), thrombocytopenia (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.55–0.70, P < 0.00001), and simple bone marrow suppression (RR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.41–0.73, P < 0.0001). Nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.52–0.77, P < 0.00001), diarrhea (RR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.37–0.64, P < 0.00001), and simple digestive tract reactions (RR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.49–0.80, P = 0.0002) also decreased with the treatment of SFI.ConclusionSFI combined with PBC for the treatment of advanced NSCLC improved the ORR, DCR, and quality of life, and reduced the incidence of myelosuppression and gastrointestinal adverse reactions. However, considering the limitations of existing evidence, further verification using high-quality RCTs is required.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-7-0026, identifier INPLASY202270026

Some recent studies on hohlraum physics

Some of our recent studies on hohlraum physics are presented, mainly including simulation study on hohlraum physics experiments on SGIII prototype, the design of Au + U + Au sandwich hohlraum for ignition target, and an initial design of elliptical hohlraum and pertinent drive laser power in order to generate an ignition radiation profile

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat