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Xing-Chen Li,1,* Yang-Yang Dong,1,* Yuan Cheng,1 Jing-Yi Zhou,1,2 Xiao Yang,1 Bo-Qiang Shen,1 Xiao-Tong Wu,1,2 Xiao-Ping Li,1 Jian-Liu Wang1,2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, People’s Republic of China; 2Beijing Key Laboratory of Female Pelvic Floor Disorders Diseases, Beijing 100044, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jian-Liu WangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 10 8832 4474Email wangjianliu1203@163.comPurpose: The early predictive values of diagnostic markers for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in endometrial cancer (EC) are still unclear at present. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between serum calcium and LNM in EC.Methods: We identified all patients with EC who underwent surgery between January 2012 and December 2016. Patient characteristics and various preoperative clinicopathologic data were obtained from medical records and were reviewed retrospectively. These patients were divided into two groups according to the pathology of their lymph node. Logistic regression models analyzed the relationship between the ionized calcium and LNM of EC patients, while adjusting for the potential confounders.Results: A total of 448 patients were assessed. Univariate analysis showed that ionized calcium, CA125 level, tumor grade, peritoneal cytology, FIGO stage, histological type, LVSI, and myometrial invasion were positively correlated with LNM (all P< 0.05). The risk of LNM increased with the promotion of serum ionized calcium (P for trend < 0.01). Ionized calcium level was significant before and after the adjustment of cofounders (unadjusted: OR=11.9, 95% CI: 4.8– 29.6, P< 0.01; model I: OR=11.3, 95% CI: 4.5– 28.8, P< 0.01; model II: OR=5.2, 95% CI: 1.6– 17.2, P< 0.05). Additionally, the risk of ionized calcium was especially evident in patients whose age was older than 60, BMI< 28 kg/m2, grade 3, negative peritoneal cytology and endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma.Conclusion: Ionized calcium level was highly associated with LNM in EC and acted as a potential biomarker in predicting the risk of LNM in EC.Keywords: serum calcium level, EC, lymph node metastasis, stratification analysis

Introduction: Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) is a kind of biomaterial which is chemically inert and has excellent biocompatibility. In order to obtain a super-hydrophobic PyC surface to improve anticoagulation and inhibit thrombus, this study prepares grating pair structure, microhole array structure, helix structure on PyC surface by nanoseconds laser etching. Methods: Rod-like ZnO film and ball-like ZnO film are prepared on the PyC surface by the hydrothermal method; polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) nanofiber film and PVP/TiO2 complex nanofiber film are prepared on the PyC surface by the electrospinning method; the PyC surface is silanized. Finally, surface microstructure and surface energy are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle meter (OCA20, German DataPhysics Co.). Results: The periodical microstructures are formed respectively by nanoseconds laser etching. The surface roughness is increased by the hydrothermal and electrospinning method. Conclusions: Through infiltration experiment on rough and smooth PyC surfaces, rough PyC surface with microstructure is super-hydrophobic and has greater than 150° contact angle, which decreases blood flow resistance and inhibits thrombus.

Introduction: Micro/nanostructured materials have attracted a great deal of attention, and many strategies have been developed to fabricate micro/nanostructured materials. Methods: Amine-functionalized micro/nanostructured Fe3O4 with different sizes was synthesized conveniently in organic media. The chemical structures of as-synthesized products were characterized by FTIR, TEM, SEM, and XRD. Results: The ligand binds to the Fe3O4 core by hydrogen bond between the oxygen atom on the surface of Fe3O4 and the hydrogen atom in molecular ethylenediamine. Their magnetic properties were also investigated. Conclusions: First, there is no need to control the reaction under a nitrogen atmosphere, and just one salt is used as an iron source. The growth and the surface modification of Fe3O4 crystalline nucleation happen at the same time. Second, monodispersed Fe3O4 micro/nanospheres were prepared without additional surfactant or external magnetic fields. Third, this method is preferred compared with the conventional organic phase method, as the reaction condition is milder and less pollutant will be produced.