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This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare clinical outcomes following fresh or frozen embryo transfer (FET) in women with advanced reproductive age (ARA). Women aged 35–45 years who underwent their first autologous fresh or frozen cleavage stage embryo transfer cycle in the Centre for Assisted Reproduction of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. The primary outcome was live birth after the first embryo transfer of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Multiple covariates were used for propensity score matching (PSM) and generalized estimating equations were performed to examine the independent association between FET and live birth. Of the total 1453 patients, 327 patients had FET and 1126 patients had fresh ET. After the PSM procedure, 274 patients were included in each group. The live birth rate was 24.8% in the FET group and 25.2% in the fresh ET group (OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.67–1.44, P = 0.92). Other pregnancy, perinatal and neonatal outcomes were all comparable between the two groups. This study showed that FET did not improve live birth and other clinical outcomes as compared with fresh embryo transfer in women with ARA who underwent their first IVF cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease despite advances in treatment options. Recently, selinexor has shown promising efficacy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), whereas its optimal timing and drug combination remain unclear. In order to assess the various regimens that incorporate selinexor, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Clinical trials and real-world studies involving MM patients treated with selinexor were included. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was calculated to compare the rates, along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and concurrent p-value assessment. A random-effects model was employed to provide a more conservative evaluation. A total of 16 studies enrolling 817 patients were reviewed. The usage of selinexor as the fifth-line or prior therapy achieved a higher objective response rate (ORR) (65.9% versus 23.4%, p < 0.01) and longer pooled progression-free survival (PFS) (median: 12.5 months versus 2.9 months, p < 0.01) than those after the fifth-line usage. In addition, early usage also resulted in a consistent trend of pooled overall survival (median: 22.7 months versus 8.9 months, p = 0.26), compared with post-fifth-line usage. Selinexor and dexamethasone (Xd) plus either protease inhibitors (PIs) or immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) achieved better ORRs than the Xd-only regimen for RRMM, with ORRs of 56.1%, 52.5% and 24.6%, respectively (p < 0.01). In conclusion, using selinexor as the fifth-line or prior therapy had a beneficial impact on RRMM. The regimen of Xd plus PIs or IMiDs was recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and rhodamine B (RhB) were physically mixed to construct a highly selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor (CQDs@RhB) for the quantitative and visual detection of Hg2+. After adding Hg2+, the emission peak of CQDs at 445 nm was quenched and the peak of RhB at 575 nm remained unchanged; the ratio of the two emission peaks had a linear relationship with the Hg2+ concentration. The CQDs@RhB had a detection range of 0–15 µM and the limit of detection (LOD) is 65.93 nM and a color change from blue to pink was visible to the naked eye under ultraviolet light. The study revealed a static quenching mechanism of CQDs@RhB. The established method was successfully applied to the detection of Hg2+ in real water and rice samples with satisfactory results. In addition, a portable fluorescent paper-based sensor platform was developed using computer software assistance. The relationship with Hg2+ concentration was constructed by converting the pictures obtained under ultraviolet light to RGB color mode for visualization and quantitative detection of Hg2+. This study provides a valuable strategy for constructing a rapid detection system for Hg2+ in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five types of polymerized whey protein (PWP1, PWP2, PWP3, PWP4 and PWP5) containing different amounts of fish oil were added to low-fat yogurt as fat replacers. The texture, apparent viscosity, and sensory properties of the yogurts were analyzed in comparison with full-fat ( 3.0%, w/w, fat) and low-fat (1.5%, w/w; and 1.2%, w/w) milk yogurt controls. The majority (~85%) of the particle size distribution was in the range of 1106±158 nm. Thermal property analysis indicated PWP was thermally stable between 50°C and 90°C. Yogurts formulated with 12% of PWP4 and 14% of PWP5 demonstrated higher firmness, springiness and adhesiveness (P

A simple and label-free fluorescent sensor based upon a specific DNAzyme (8–17 DNAzyme) and thiazole orange (TO) for monitoring Pb2+ in water samples was described. The 8–17 DNAzyme was formed by an enzyme strand (17E) and a partially complementary substrate strand (17DS). Thiazole orange, the DNA intercalator, was nonfluorescent in aqueous solution while it intercalates into the 8–17 DNAzyme with a duplex structure resulting in strong fluorescence. In the presence of Pb2+, the 17E was activated and cleaved the 17DS into two at the ribonucleoside adenosine (rA) position, leading to the disruption of the duplex structure. This Pb2+-induced conformational change led to the quenching of the fluorescence of thiazole orange, thus forming the basis for the label-free biosensor. Under the optimized conditions, the developed protocol exhibited sensitive determination of Pb2+ with a detection limit of 0.73 nM and a linear range from 10 to 150 nM. The label-free fluorescent approach exhibited excellent selectivity, strong selectivity, and satisfactory analysis of a drinking water standard reference material and spiked river and tap water samples. Taking the advantage of the structure-switching 8–17 DNAzyme and the fluorescent intercalator of nucleic acids, this label-free sensor provides a new approach for routine screening of heavy metals based upon the DNAzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to assess prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) by combining [18F]-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/CT parameters and clinical indices. Methods: Clinical data and PET/CT parameters of 133 NDMM patients were retrospectively analyzed for associations between clinical indices and PET/CT parameters. Independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined. A new prognostic prediction system (NPPS) was constructed based on our findings. Prediction effectiveness was compared among the NPPS, International Staging System (ISS), Revised ISS (R-ISS), and R2-ISS. Results: Prevalence of elevated β2-microglobulin, serum creatinine (sCr), serum calcium (sCa), and C-reactive protein concentrations was higher in patients with higher SUVmax (≥ 5.3). Prevalence of elevated sCa, sCr, and extramedullary disease (EMD) was higher in patients with a higher number of focal lesions (≥ 10). SUVmax, serum free-light chain (sFLC) ratio, and EMD were independent predictors of PFS and OS. The NPPS used SUVmax, sFLC ratio, and EMD could effectively predict OS and was more effective at prognostication than the ISS, R-ISS, and R2-ISS. Conclusions: [18F]-FDG PET/CT parameters play a significant role in predicting prognosis in NDMM patients. The NPPS based on SUVmax, sFLC ratio, and EMD outperformed the ISS, R-ISS, and R2-ISS in prognostication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly selective solid-state fluorescent sensor based on N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) and cotton fiber paper (CFP) is reported for the determination of trace mercury (II)(Hg2+). The N-doped carbon quantum dots on cotton fiber paper (N-CQDs@CFP) was synthesized using a facile one-step microwave hydrothermal method. Multiple approaches were employed to fully investigate the morphology and chemical structure of the paper-based fluorescent sensor. The N-CQDs were chemically bonded onto the CFP, which offers good reproducibility and stability of the sensor. The N-CQDs@CFP showed high-intensity blue emission in dark-field imaging, and the fluorescence was quenched by Hg2+. The Hg2+ in aqueous samples was easily determined and visually monitored. There was good linearity from 0 to 250 μM, and the limit of detection was 34 nM. The paper-based fluorescent sensor provided accurate and rapid determination of Hg2+ upon comparison with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). The simple preparation, rapid detection (< 5 min), low cost, and easy-handling illustrate that the reported sensor has a significant value in environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]