Search

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and severity of symptoms of patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, form a symptom burden report, evaluate the distribution characteristics of symptoms, identify symptom clusters, and provide a basis for clinical doctors and nurses to improve the symptom management of patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods The patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy were recruited to investigate their symptom burden. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify symptom clusters. Results A total of 250 patients participated in the study. The study found that the most common symptom among the 40 symptoms was fatigue, and the most serious symptom was nocturia. Based on the occurrence rate and severity of symptoms, nine symptom clusters were identified, including psycho–emotion-related symptom cluster, pain–disturbed sleep-related symptom cluster, menopausal symptom cluster, tinnitus–dizziness-related symptom cluster, urinary-related symptom cluster, dry mouth–bitter taste-related symptom cluster, intestinal-related symptom cluster, memory loss–numbness-related symptom cluster, and emaciation-related symptom cluster. The three most serious symptom clusters are pain–disturbed sleep-related symptom cluster, urinary-related symptom cluster, and memory loss–numbness-related symptom cluster. Conclusion The symptoms of patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy are complex, and nine symptom clusters can be identified according to the incidence and severity of symptoms. We can find the potential biological mechanism of each symptom cluster through the discussion of previous mechanism research and clinical research. The number of symptom clusters and the number of symptoms within the symptom cluster are closely related to the symptom evaluation scale selected for the study. Therefore, the symptom cluster study urgently needs a targeted symptom evaluation scale that can comprehensively reflect the patient’s condition.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of blastocyst culture supernatant transfer in hormone replacement freeze-thaw embryo transfer (FET) cycles.The present study was a prospective double-blind randomized controlled study. Patients who met the inclusion criteria for the first hormone replacement freeze-thaw single blastocyst transfer proposed from September 2017 to December 2020 were randomly grouped at the endometrial transformation day of the secretory phase (P + 0). Patients in Group A (the experimental group) received the blastocyst culture supernatant at P + 2 and a single blastocyst at P + 5. Patients in Group B (the control group) received the embryo culture at P + 2 and a single blastocyst at P + 5. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.A total of 288 cycles were included in the present study, with 144 cycles in each group. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were higher in group A than in group B (54.9% vs 45.8%, and 50% vs 39.6%, respectively), and the differences were more pronounced in patients with the age of ≥35 years (51.7% vs 37.5%, and 44.8% vs 32.1%, respectively), but the differences were not statistically significant.Blastocyst culture supernatant transfer in hormone replacement FET cycles could improve the pregnancy outcomes.

Let L1 and L2 be the Schrodinger operators on ℝn and ℝm, respectively. By using different maximal functions and Littlewood-Paley g function on distinct variables, in this paper, some characterizations for functions in the product Hardy space $$H_{{L_1},{L_2}}^1$$(ℝn × ℝm) associated to operators L1 and L2 are obtained.

To investigate the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) induced by methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).We enrolled 30 patients with SLE and analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before and after MP pulse therapy. Peripheral Tregs, apoptosis of PBMCs subsets, and TGFβ production by monocytes was quantified by flow cytometry. Proliferation and IFN-γ production of CD4Peripheral Tregs was significantly increased after MP pulse therapy (6.76 ± 1.46% vs. 3.82 ± 1.02%, p 0.01), with an expansion of Nrp1MP pulse therapy induces CD4

Assessment of embryo viability is a crucial component of in vitro fertilization and currently relies largely on embryo morphology and cleavage rate. Because morphological assessment remains highly subjective, it can be unreliable in predicting embryo viability. This study investigated the metabolomic profiling of embryo culture media using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting the implantation potential of human embryos in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.Spent embryo culture media was collected on day 4 after thawed embryo transfer (n = 621) and analysed using NIR spectroscopy. Viability scores were calculated using a predictive multivariate algorithm of fresh embryos with known pregnancy outcomes.The mean viability indices of embryos resulting in clinical pregnancy following FET were significantly higher than those of non-implanted embryos and differed between the 0, 50, and 100 % implantation groups. Notably, the 0 % group index was significantly lower than the 100 % implantation group index (-0.787 ± 0.382 vs. 1.064 ± 0.331, P 0.01). To predict implantation outcomes, we examined the area under the ROC curve (AUCROC), which was significantly higher for the viability than for the morphology score (0.94 vs. 0.55; P 0.01); however, the AUCROCs for the composite and viability scores did not differ significantly (0.92 vs. 0.94; P 0.05).NIR metabolomic profiling of thawed embryo culture media is independent of morphology and correlates with embryo implantation potential in FET cycles. The viability score alone or in conjunction with morphologic grading is a more objective marker for implantation outcome in FET cycles than morphology alone.

Does vitrification and warming of Day 3 embryos have an impact on neonatal outcome when compared with Day 3 embryos that are slow cooled and thawed, or with embryos from a fresh cycle?The median birthweight was higher in the vitrified group versus the slow cooled or fresh embryo transfer, and the rate of low birthweight in twin babies was lower in the vitrified group.Vitrification has been successfully used for cryopreserving human oocytes and blastocyst-stage embryos. Most published studies looking at the neonatal outcomes after transfer of vitrified embryos refer to blastocyst-stage embryos. Information on children born after transfer of Day 3 vitrified embryos is relatively rare.A retrospective, single-centre study of children born after Day 3 embryo transfer from fresh, slow frozen or vitrified embryos during the period January 2006 to May 2011 was conducted. Each patient contributed only one cycle per group. Children born were followed-up at 7-30 days after delivery. Outcome measures include obstetric and neonatal outcomes, which were evaluated by medical records and questionnaires sent to parents.Patients underwent transfer of vitrified Day 3 embryos (n = 2617 transfers, Cryotop method), slow frozen Day 3 embryos (n = 4681) and fresh Day 3 embryos (n = 9194). All cycles were performed at the Shanghai Ji Ai GeneticsIVF Institute.Frequencies of hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes, placenta previa and abruptio placenta were similar in all groups. Five hundred and forty five, 986 and 1914 singleton babies were born from vitrified, slow freezing and fresh transfers, and the median gestational ages were 38.7, 38.7 and 38.7 weeks, respectively. Preterm birth (32-37 weeks) occurred in 7.5, 9.2 and 7.8% of the vitrified, slow freeze and fresh groups, respectively. The median birthweight from vitrified embryos (3455.3 g) was higher than that from slow freezing (3352.3 g) and fresh (3355.8 g) transfers (P0.0001 for both). The rate of perinatal mortality was 0.4% for all transfer groups. Three hundred and eighty two, 734 and 1322 twin babies were born from vitrified, slow freezing and fresh transfers, respectively. There were no differences among groups in mean gestational age and in the rate of preterm birth. The median birthweight for babies born from vitrified embryos (2587.4 g) was higher than that from the slow freezing (2538.8 g) or fresh (2494.4 g) transfer groups (vitrified versus fresh: P = 0.0015; vitrified versus slow freeze: P = 0.049). The rate of low birthweight (1500-2500 g) from vitrified (30.4%) was lower than that from fresh (36.2%) transfer (P = 0.034).The main limitation of this study is that the obstetric and neonatal data were obtained by questionnaires sent to the parents without checking medical records. This is, especially, problematic for reporting on congenital malformations, so birth defects were excluded from the data.Transfer of vitrified and warmed Day 3 embryos does not seem to have an adverse effect on neonatal outcome. Children born following the transfer of vitrified embryos seem to have a higher birthweight when compared with those of fresh or slow frozen embryos.This study received no outside funding and none of the authors has any conflict of interest.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined use of clomiphene citrate (CC) and gonadotropins (Gn) on the infertile patients with PCOS. Methods A total of 367 infertile patients with PCOS were included in this retrospective study. Patients received CC from menstrual cycle day 3 until the day of triggering and human menopausal gonadotrophins (hMG) from menstrual cycle day 5 until the ovulation day. Gn duration and doses, serum LH and estradiol levels, transferable embryos, incidence of OHSS, frozen-thawed embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were compared among CC plus hMG, long and short protocols. Results Gn duration and doses, blood estrogen level, transferable embryos and incidence of OHSS in the group of CC plus hMG were decreased significantly than those of long and short protocols. No differences were observed in the frozen-thawed embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates among three groups. Conclusion Mild stimulation of CC combined with hMG on infertile patients with high risk for OHSS is safe and efficient.

Objective To investigate the factors that influence the potential for cryoembryo implantation and multiple pregnancy. Methods In this retrospective study, a total of 937 thawing cycles (859 couples) in which 3286 d 3-embryos were thawed. Rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and multiple conception following FET were observed. Results There were significant differences in female age (P 35 years) (13.64%). With an increase in age from ≤ 30 years to>40 years, clinical pregnancy rate declined from 45.61% to 25.00%. Conclusion Female age and the number of good quality embryos transferred are important factors influencing the clinical and multiple pregnancy rate, reducing the number of good quality embryos transferred may decrease the rate of multiple pregnancy but do not affect the clinical pregnancy rate.

Shiraiachrome-A and -B have been isolated from the mycelium of the Chinese bamboo fungus Shiraia bambusicola as the cytotoxic principles. A series of new perylene derivatives (7-27) related to Shiraiachrome-A and -B as well as Calphostin-C have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity, antiviral activity, and inhibitory activity against protein kinase C. The results indicated that 11 and 12 are potent cytotoxic agents against HCT-8, RPMI-7951, and TE-671 solid tumor cells, whereas 24 and 26 demonstrated strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2. Compound 10 is an inhibitor of protein kinase C.

A series of C-4 hydroxylated and halogenated anilino derivatives of epipodophyllotoxin or 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the human DNA topoisomerase II as well as for their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. Compounds 11-17 and 22 are more potent than etoposide in causing DNA breakage, while compounds 11-13, 15, 16, and 20 are as active or more active than etoposide in their inhibition of the human DNA topoisomerase II. The cytotoxicity in KB cells appears to have no direct correlation with their ability to inhibit DNA topoisomerase II and to cause protein-linked DNA breaks in cells.

In a retrospective study, levels of LH in the midfollicular phase had a significant impact on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome. High LH levels were associated with reduced implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

The 2'-chloro derivatives of etoposide and 4 beta-(arylamino)-4'-O-demethylpodophyllotoxins have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the human DNA topoisomerase II as well as for their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. The results showed that none of the compounds are active as a result of the C-2' chloro substitution on ring E. This would suggest that the free rotation of ring E is essential for the aforementioned enzyme inhibitory activity. In addition, these 2'-chloro derivatives showed no significant cytotoxicity (KB).

A number of 4'-O-demethylepipodophyllotoxin derivatives possessing various 4 beta-N-, 4 beta-O- or 4 beta-S-aromatic rings have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the human DNA topoisomerase II as well as for their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. The results indicated, that for DNA topoisomerase II, a basic unsubstituted 4 beta-anilino moiety is structurally required for the enhanced activity. Substitution on this moiety with CN, COOCH3, COOC2H5, OH and COOCH3, OCH3, COCH3, CH2OH, OCH2O, OCH2CH2O, phenoxy, morpholino, NO2, and NH2 either at the para and/or the meta position yielded compounds which are as potent or more potent than etoposide. Substitution with COOC2H5 and OH at the ortho position afforded inactive compounds. Replacement of the aryl nitrogen with oxygen or sulfur gave compounds which are much less active or inactive. However, replacement of the phenyl ring with a pyridine nucleus furnished compounds which are as active or slightly more active than etoposide. There is a lack of correlation between the ability of these compounds in inhibiting DNA topoisomerase II and in causing protein-linked DNA breaks.

A series of analogues of etoposide, the C-4 amino- and alkylamino-substituted 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxins, have been synthesized and studied for their activity to inhibit type II human DNA topoisomerase as well as their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. Substitution of the glycosidic moiety of 1 by a 2"-hydroxyethylamino or 2"-methoxyethylamino chain at the C-4 beta position resulted in potent inhibitors of the human DNA topoisomerase II. This inhibitory activity correlates reasonably well with their activity in causing protein-linked DNA breakage in KB cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity (KB) appears to have no correlation with the inhibitory activity of the human DNA topoisomerase II.

A principal mechanism of action of the clinical antitumor drugs etoposide (1) and teniposide (2) is the inhibition of catalytic activity of type II DNA topoisomerase and concurrent enzyme-mediated production of lethal DNA strand breaks. Substitution of the glycosidic moiety of 1 or 2 by ester and ethers, as well as the esterification and etherification of alpha-peltatin (4) including its glucosidic ethylidene and thenylidene cyclic acetals (25 and 26), has afforded compounds of much less activity than that of 1. The in vitro cytotoxicity (KB) appears to have no correlation with the inhibitory activity of the human DNA topoisomerase II.

Three toxic proteins and one agglutinin were purified from the seeds of Ricinus communis by a simple and fast method using Sepharose 4-B affinity chromatography followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The weakly adsorbed ricins A and B were retarded and eluted with the buffer from the affinity chromatographic column, while ricin C and ricinus agglutinin had to be eluted with 0.1 M galactose. The molecular weights of ricins A, B, and C were about 62,000 and that of ricinus agglutinin was 120,000, estimated by amino acid compositions and SDS gel electrophoresis. They all possessed two non-identical subunits: A and B chains linked by one disulfide bond. Their LD50 values were 4, 28, 14 and 112 micrograms per kg body weight of mice for ricins A, B and C and ricinus agglutinin, respectively. The amino acid compositions of the three toxins and their A and B subunits were very similar, but not identical, while ricinus agglutinin showed a different composition. Ricin A is a newly isolated lectin which has a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cells. By using cell cultures, it was demonstrated that the tumor cells were more sensitive to lectin than non-transformed cells, and that this could be caused by the higher binding affinity of lectin to tumor cells than to non-transformed cells.

Background The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that estradiol (E2) level on day 3 may be associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Methods The records of patients who received clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day plus human menopausal gonadotropin 150 IU/day from day 3 and received frozen-thawed embryo transfers were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: group A (E2 ≤30 pg/ml), group B (30< E2 ≤50 pg/ml), and group C (E2 >50 pg/ml). A total of 1080 cycles from 941 patients were included. Results The number of eggs and MII oocytes were less in group C than group A (both, P = 0.001). The embryo implantation (P = 0.006) and clinical pregnancy rates (P = 0.036) were lower in group C than group B, and the rates were similar between group A and B. Conclusion Maintaining the serum E2 level from 30 to 50 pg/ml may result in a higher clinical pregnancy rate in IVF cycles.