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In recent years, photonic therapy (photothermal and photodynamic therapy) has gradually aroused great interest among researchers in related fields as a new method of tumor treatment. However, a single phototherapy modality alone, such as photodynamic therapy or photothermal therapy, has shown limited therapeutic efficacy in tumor treatment. To overcome the limitations of monotherapy, a combined photothermal–photodynamic treatment strategy based on graphite-phase carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs) and silver nanospheres (AgNSs) has been employed in this work. Specifically, a g-CNQDs@AgNSs nanocomposite was prepared by loading g-CNQDs onto the surface of AgNSs through metal amino coordination and in situ reduction methods. g-CNQDs serve as the photosensitizer whereas AgNSs act as a photothermal agent. This nanocomposite not only has good biocompatibility but also has good photothermal properties and generates excellent reactive oxygen species under near-infrared light irradiation. In vitro or cellular experimental results show that combination therapy provides a significant improvement in photothermal and photodynamic efficacy as compared to monotherapy. In essence, this work offers a secure and powerful strategy for efficient combination therapy of tumors with promising applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although with the impressive efficacy, several patients showed intrinsic resistance or an unsatisfactory response to Osimertinib. We aim to explore the impact of clinical and molecular features on efficacy and outcome of patients with EGFR T790M-mutation non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving second-line Osimertinib.Methods: Patients with EGFR T790M-mutant NSCLC who had acquired resistance to the first-generation EGFR TKI and then received Osimertinib as second-line treatment were included. Patients' demographic and clinical information, as well as molecular data were extracted from electronic medical records. The impact of clinical and molecular features on treatment response and patients' outcome were assessed.Results: Among the 99 patients, 60 patients were tissue/pleural effusion T790M positive and 69 patients were plasma positive with a median PFS of 12.1 m and 9.9 m (P = 0.25), respectively. In addition, median PFS were similar between patients of plasma T790M + and patients of plasma T790M- (P = 0.94). The Pearson correlation test showed no significant relationship between plasma T790M abundance and PFS (r = 0.074, P = 0.546). In subgroup analyses, PFS was significantly improved in elder patients (P = 0.009) and patients with longer PFS to the first-generation EGFR TKI (P = 0.0008), while smokers tended to have worse PFS compared with non-smokers (P = 0.064). PARP1 mutant-type patients had a worse PFS compared with wild-type group (P = 0.0003). Patients with MYC amplification also had a worse PFS than MYC wild-type patients (P = 0.016). A significant PFS shrinkage was observed in TMB-High group as 6.77 m, compared with 19.10 m in TMB-Low group. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that years ≥ 65 was an independent positive feature for PFS, while PARP1 mutation and TMB-H were negative features for PFS.Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings in this study demonstrated that clinical and molecular features can be served as predictive biomarkers to stratify patients with EGFR T790M-mutant NSCLC receiving second-line Osimertinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the safety and feasibility of taking low‐concentration carbohydrate solution at 2 h before induction of anesthesia for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. Methods: GDM patients undergoing cesarean section were randomly assigned to experimental group (n = 43) and control group (n = 42). Two hours before induction of anesthesia, participants in experimental group orally received 300 mL low‐concentration carbohydrate solution, while those in control group received equivalent warm water. Blood glucose and serum insulin were measured at 2 h before induction of anesthesia, right before induction of anesthesia, and the morning of postoperative day 1. Neonatal blood glucose level was monitored at birth. Maternal gastrointestinal function and well‐being were assessed perioperatively. Results: The levels of blood glucose and serum insulin right before induction of anesthesia in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. There were four cases with hypoglycemia in the experimental group and 19 cases in the control group right before induction of anesthesia (9.3% vs 45.2%, p < 0.001). The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia was 2.3% in the experimental group and 7.1% in the control group with no significance. Hunger score of the participants between the two groups right before induction of anesthesia was significantly different. No aspiration, nausea, and vomiting occurred in both groups before, during, and after surgery. No significant difference was found in the time to the first flatus and abdominal distension between the two groups. Conclusion: Taking low‐concentration carbohydrate solution is safe and feasible for patients with GDM undergoing elective cesarean section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational diabetes mellitus affects millions of pregnant women. Lifestyle intervention is recommended as the first-line treatment, in which exercise plays an important role. Effective and safe exercise is required to facilitate glycaemic control and improve delivery outcomes. To investigate the efficacy and safety of the original Gymnastics for Pregnant Women program for glycaemic control and delivery outcomes improvement in gestational diabetes mellitus women. The study was a two-arm parallel randomized controlled clinical trial. The study was conducted in a tertiary specialized maternity hospital in Hangzhou, China. Totally 131 eligible pregnant women were enrolled from June to December 2020. Participants were randomly allocated to the control group (conventional intervention) or experimental group that engaged in the original Gymnastics for Pregnant Women program. The primary outcomes included glycaemic control during pregnancy and postpartum. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Participants showed a significant improvement in glycaemic control after engaging in the intervention for 2 weeks; the improvement was most significant in terms of the 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (P < 0.05). The fasting blood glucose and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose data indicated a higher glycaemic control rate in the experimental than control group (86.16% vs. 66.67%, P = 0.008; and 84.62% vs. 36.36% [6.09 ± 0.79 vs. 6.96 ± 1.06 mmol/L], P < 0.001, respectively). After delivery, the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test results indicated better glycaemic control in the experimental than control group (75.44% vs. 57.41% [6.93 ± 1.44 vs. 7.79 ± 2.03 mmol/L], P = 0.047). Additionally, the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test in the experimental group with reasonable exercise frequency (≥ 10 times per week) had the best glucose level (6.81 ± 1.30 mmol/L), followed by the experimental group with a lower exercise frequency (< 10 times per week) (7.35 ± 1.83 mmol/L) and the control group (7.79 ± 2.03 mmol/L). No statistical differences in maternal or neonatal outcomes were observed between the control and experimental groups (P > 0.05). In addition, there were no adverse events in the experimental group; however, in the control group, two cases experienced at least one hypoglycaemic episode and two cases received insulin during the study period. The original Gymnastics for Pregnant Women was associated with greater improvements in blood glucose levels during pregnancy and postpartum compared with a conventional intervention for women with gestational diabetes mellitus. ChiCTR2000033963 (2020-06-22). The original Gymnastics for Pregnant Women program improves glycaemic control in GDM women but does not affect delivery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the oncologic and reproductive outcomes after progestin treatment of complex endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and grade 1 endometrial carcinoma (EC).Methods: In a retrospective study, data were obtained for patients aged 20-42years with CEH or grade 1 EC at presumed stage IA (without myometrial invasion) who wished to preserve fertility and were treated at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011. Patients had received oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (250-500mg/day) or megestrol acetate (160-480mg/day) for at least 6months. Response to progestin treatment was assessed histologically.Results: Among 53 included patients, 39 (74%) achieved complete response after a median period of 6 (3-24) months. Complete response was less frequent among obese than nonobese patients (4/12 [33%] vs 35/41 [85%]; P=0.001). Disease recurrence was recorded in 10 (26%) patients with complete response; the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 71%. Among the 33 patients who retained a desire to conceive, 17 (52%) became pregnant.Conclusion: Fertility-sparing management with oral progestin is effective. Obesity is associated with a lower probability of long-term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the direct anterior approach (DAA) requires a hip extension. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing THA with DAA using either the no hip extension (NHE) or the traditional hip extension (THE) strategy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of demographics, clinical and radiological outcomes, and occurrence of complications was performed using data from 123 patients treated between January 2020 and November 2021. The patients were categorised into two groups: NHE (84 patients) and THE (39 patients). Results: The NHE group exhibited shorter operative time and had more male participants with higher ages. Comparable outcomes were observed in the visual analogue scale, Harris Hip, and Oxford Hip scores at the final follow-up. Furthermore, complications were observed in the NHE and THE groups, including two and one greater trochanteric fractures and three and one transfusions, respectively. Conclusions: Compared to the THE, employing the NHE strategy during THA with DAA in elderly and young female patients resulted in comparable clinical outcomes with several advantages, such as favourable surgical time. The NHE method also exhibited good safety and effectiveness. Therefore, the NHE strategy may be a favourable option for elderly and young female patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the oncologic and pregnancy outcomes of patients with early stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EMC) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) treated with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with or without levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) after fertility-sparing treatment (FSTs).Methods: A total of 67 patients with EMC or AEH who achieved complete response after FSTs and underwent COS between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence after COS.Results: The average age was 32.9 ± 3.46 years. 23.9 % of these patients relapsed after COS during the follow-up period. The 2-year cumulative recurrence rate was 14.9 % (9.1 % and 20.6 % in the LNG-IUD and control groups, respectively). Compared with the control group, the recurrence rate was lower in patients with LNG-IUDs present during COS (12.1 % vs 35.5 %, p = 0.027). The clinical pregnancy (42.4 % vs 52.9 %, p = 0.392) and live birth (21.2 % vs 29.4 %, p = 0.444) rates were similar between the LNG-IUD and control groups. Age, body mass index (BMI), histology, FST type and time to complete response were not related to prognosis after COS. After adjusting for age and BMI in a multivariate Cox regression model, the use of LNG-IUD during COS was a favorable factor for better oncologic outcomes after COS (HR 0.263, 95 %CI 0.084-0.822, p = 0.022).Conclusions: Patients with early stage EMC and AEH treated with assisted reproductive technology after FSTs might benefit from LNG-IUDs present during COS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that flavonoid extract from propolis (FP) can improve cardiac function in rats following myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effects of FP have not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we explored whether FP can reduce inflammatory cytokines and attenuate sympathetic nerve system activity and antiendoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and whether the cardioprotective effects are related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) activation. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: Sham group received the surgical procedure but no artery was ligated; MI group received ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery; MI + FP group received FP (12.5 mg/kg/d, intragastrically) seven days prior to LAD ligation; FP group (Sham group + 12.5 mg/kg/d, intragastrically); MI + FP + GW9662 group received FP prior to LAD ligation with the addition of a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor (GW9662), 1 mg/kg/d, orally); and MI + GW9662 group received the PPAR-γ inhibitor and LAD ligation. The results demonstrated that the following inflammatory markers were significantly elevated following MI as compared with expression in sham animals: IL-1β, TNF-α, CRP; markers of sympathetic activation: plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and GAP43, nerve growth factor, thyroid hormone; and ER stress response markers GRP78 and CHOP. Notably, the above changes were attenuated by FP, and GW9662 was able to alleviate the effect of FP. In conclusion, FP induces a cardioprotective effect following myocardial infarction by activating PPAR-γ, leading to less inflammation, cardiac sympathetic activity, and ER stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that flavonoid extract from propolis (FP) can improve cardiac function in rats following myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effects of FP have not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we explored whether FP can reduce inflammatory cytokines and attenuate sympathetic nerve system activity and antiendoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and whether the cardioprotective effects are related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) activation. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: Sham group received the surgical procedure but no artery was ligated; MI group received ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery; MI + FP group received FP (12.5 mg/kg/d, intragastrically) seven days prior to LAD ligation; FP group (Sham group + 12.5 mg/kg/d, intragastrically); MI + FP + GW9662 group received FP prior to LAD ligation with the addition of a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor (GW9662), 1 mg/kg/d, orally); and MI + GW9662 group received the PPAR-γ inhibitor and LAD ligation. The results demonstrated that the following inflammatory markers were significantly elevated following MI as compared with expression in sham animals: IL-1β, TNF-α, CRP; markers of sympathetic activation: plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and GAP43, nerve growth factor, thyroid hormone; and ER stress response markers GRP78 and CHOP. Notably, the above changes were attenuated by FP, and GW9662 was able to alleviate the effect of FP. In conclusion, FP induces a cardioprotective effect following myocardial infarction by activating PPAR-γ, leading to less inflammation, cardiac sympathetic activity, and ER stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although numerous studies have suggested that elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is positively correlated with cardiovascular events, especially the heart failure and heart failure-related death (HFRD), evidence of the association between NT-proBNP and the adverse outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still relatively limited. The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between NT-proBNP and outcomes in patients with HCM. Methods: Observational cohort methodology was used in the present study, and a total of 227 patients were included. And the patients were followed for 44.97 +- 16.37 months. Patients were categorized into three groups according to these NT-proBNP tertiles: first tertile (=910 pg/ml, n=68), second tertile (913-2141 pg/ml, n=68), and third tertile (=2151 pg/ml, n=69). The adverse outcomes of the present study were all-cause death (ACD) and cardiac death (CD). Results: According to the risk category of NT-proBNP, the incidence of ACD (P=0.005) and CD (P=0.032) among the three groups showed significant differences. Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that the ACD and CD in the third tertile have 7.022 folds (hazard risk [HR] = 7.022 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.397-35.282], P=0.018) and 7.129 folds (HR=7.129 [95% CI: 1.329-38.237], P=0.022) increased risks as compared with those in the first tertile. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed that the cumulative risks of ACD and CD in patients with HCM tended to increase. Conclusion: The present study indicated NT-proBNP was a novel biomarker suitable for predicting adverse prognosis in patients with HCM, which may be used for early recognition and risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of local intra-gestational sac methotrexate injection followed by dilation and curettage (D&C) in treating cesarean scar pregnancies (CSP).Method: Medical records of CSP patients treated with local intra-gestational sac methotrexate injection followed by dilation and curettage were analyzed at the Maternal and Child Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.Results: Thirty-one patients were included in this study. The mean gestational age, sac diameter and thickness of the uterine scar were 49.6 ± 7.7 days, 1.8 ± 0.6 cm and 0.30 ± 0.15 cm, respectively. The median pretreatment serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) level was 40,887 mIU/mL, with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 19,852 and 74,552, respectively. The median blood loss during D&C was 20 mL with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 10 mL and 50 mL. Following D&C, a Foley's balloon catheter compression was implanted in 26 (83.9%) patients due to active uterine bleeding. All patients had a β-HCG regression time of ≤ 4 weeks after D&C. While 30 patients (96.8%) had a uterine recovery time of ≤ 4 weeks, and 29 patients (93.5%) had resumption of menstruation of less than 6 weeks. Three patients (9.7%) had complications. One of them suffered from massive vaginal bleeding and underwent s blood transfusion. There were no other complications, such as pelvic infection and uterine rupture during the procedures. And no patient was converted to surgical resection or uterine artery embolization. Overall, 30 patients (96.8%) were treated successfully.Conclusion: Local intra-gestational sac methotrexate injection followed by D&C with the aid of a Foley's balloon catheter compression appears to be a safe and effective treatment for CSP. Further randomized controlled trials are suggested to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) are being widely applied in various fields. Therefore, hAMSCs represent a promising candidate to facilitate cartilage regeneration. Nonetheless, no studies have investigated the application of hAMSC sheets to repair cartilage defects in vivo. Purpose: To evaluate hAMSC sheets encapsulating cartilage particles to promote repair of rabbit osteochondral defects. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: hAMSC sheets were constructed with passage 3 hAMSCs. The phenotypic and structural characteristics of hAMSC sheets were evaluated by flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The potential for chondrogenic differentiation of hAMSC sheets was assessed by cartilage-specific marker staining, immunohistochemistry, and mRNA and protein expression (SOX9, COLII, and ACAN). Osteochondral defects (diameter, 3.5 mm; depth, 3 mm) were created in the left patellar grooves of 20 New Zealand White rabbits (female or male). The defects were treated with hAMSC sheet/cartilage particles (n = 5), cartilage particles (n = 5), hAMSC sheets (n = 5), or fibrin glue (n = 5). Macroscopic and histological evaluations of the regenerated tissue were conducted after 3 months. The survival time and differentiation of transplanted hAMSCs in the defect area were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results: hAMSC sheets had a multilayered structure, with cells stacked layer by layer. Importantly, hAMSC sheets highly expressed phenotypic markers of mesenchymal stem cells. Cartilage-specific marker staining and immunohistochemistry were positive, and mRNA and protein expression was higher in the chondrogenically induced hAMSC sheet group than in the hAMSC sheet group (P <.05). hAMSC sheet/cartilage particles formed a large amount of hyaline-like cartilage in the defect area. In addition, macroscopic and histological scores were significantly higher than those in the other groups. Integration with surrounding normal cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration in the hAMSC sheet/cartilage particles group were better when compared with the other groups. A large number of human nuclear-specific antigen-positive cells were observed in the defect area of hAMSC sheet/cartilage particles and hAMSC sheet groups. Moreover, some positive cells expressed SOX9. Conclusion: hAMSC sheets encapsulating cartilage particles facilitate osteochondral defect repair. Clinical Relevance: Delivery of cells in the form of a cell sheet in conjunction with cartilage particles provides a novel approach for cell-based cartilage regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The relationship between heart rate in CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and had long-term outcomes over up to 10 years of follow-up has not been investigated. Methods. All patients were from the CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study that included a total of 6050 CAD patients who underwent PCI from January 2008 to December 2016. One patient was excluded due to a lack of heart rate data. Ultimately, 6049 patients were enrolled. The primary outcome was long-term mortality after PCI. Results. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to heart rate quintiles: 1st quintile (heart rate <66 beats/min; n=1123), 2nd quintile (heart rate ≥66 beats/min to 72 beats/min; n=1010), 3rd quintile (heart rate ≥72 beats/min to 78 beats/min; n=1442), 4th quintile (heart rate ≥78 beats/min to 84 beats/min; n=1211), and 5th quintile (heart rate ≥84 beats/min; n=1263). After multivariate Cox regression analyses, the respective risks of ACM, CM, and MACEs were increased 79.1% (hazard risk (HR) = 1.791, 95% CI: 1.207–2.657, P=0.004), 56.9% (HR = 1.569, 95% CI: 1.019–2.416, P=0.041), and 25.5% (HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.990–1.590, P=0.060) in the 4th quintile and 98.7% (HR = 1.987, 95% CI: 1.344–2.937, P=0.001), 98.8% (HR = 1.988, 95% CI: 1.310–3.016, P<0.001), and 0.36.1% (HR = 1.361, 95% CI: 1.071–1.730, P=0.012) in the 5th quintile compared with those in the 1st quintile. Patients with a heart rate of ≥80 beats/min had 89.4%, 115.2%, and 39.1% increased risk of ACM, CM, and MACEs, respectively, compared to those patients with a heart rate of <80 beats/min. Conclusion. The present study indicated that the resting heart rate is an independent predictor of adverse long-term outcomes in CAD patients who underwent PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]