[A mechanistic study of radiotherapy on intratumoral NK cell infiltration augmentation by regulating the EZH2/CXCL10 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect and associated mechanism of tumor tissue-infiltrating NK cells after receiving radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A HCC tumor-bearing mouse model was constructed using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SK-Hep-1) and divided into four groups: control, radiotherapy, NK cell clearance, and NK clearance combined with radiotherapy. Tumor growth condition was simultaneously recorded. The NK cell ratio in peripheral blood and the NK cell intratumoral infiltration condition were detected by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Lentiviral-constructed SK-Hep-1 cells was used to detect the effect of radiotherapy on the regulation of CXCL10 and NK cell chemotaxis following EZH2 overexpression. SK-Hep-1 cells were irradiated in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of EZH2 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein in the two groups of cell lines and mouse tumor tissues were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry. The chemotaxis and blocking experiments were used to validate the chemotaxis effect of CXCL10 on NK cells. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The HCC tumor-bearing mouse model experiment showed that HCC tumor growth was most remarkable in the NK clearance combined with the radiotherapy group compared to the radiotherapy group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of NK cells in the peripheral blood of nude mice in the radiotherapy group was significantly reduced, while the NK cell intratumoral infiltration was significantly increased (P<0.05). Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry showed in vitro and in vivo expressional alterations. The average expression levels of EZH2 mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tumor tissues were decreased in the radiotherapy group than the control group and mouse tumor tissues (P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCL10 increased (P<0.05). The cell supernatant following radiotherapy enhanced NK cell chemotaxis but inhibited CXCL10 neutralization. EZH2 overexpression validated that radiotherapy up-regulated CXCL10 mRNA and down-regulated protein expression levels in in vitro and in vivo experiments (P<0.05). The chemotactic effect on NK cells was significantly weakened with EZH2 overexpression following radiotherapy. Conclusion: NK cells, as immune effector cells, are directly involved in radiotherapy- activated anti-HCC immunity. Importantly, radiotherapy inhibits EZH2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma, thereby upregulating CXCL10 expression and enhancing intratumoral NK cell invasion.

[The relationship between clinical characteristics and pathological features in patients with pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas].

Objective: To explore the correlation between clinical characteristics and pathological features in patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGLs). Methods: A case series study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with single and primary PPGLs after postoperative pathological diagnosis who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022. The patients were divided into the Ki-67<3% group and the Ki-67≥3% group with Ki-67 proliferation index of 3% as the threshold. The relationship between clinical and pathological characteristics of PPGLs was analyzed. Results: A total of 399 PPGLs patients were included, with 177 males and 222 females, aged [M(Q1, Q3)] 45.0(35.5, 53.0) years. Among them, 226 (56.6%) cases originated from the adrenal gland, while 104 cases (26.1%) from the retroperitoneum. 20.9% (27/129) of the patients were found to harbor germline mutations of susceptibility genes, with SDHB mutations being the most common (10.1%, 13/129). The Ki-67 staining was performed on 302 cases, with a Ki-67 proliferation index [M(Q1, Q3)] of 2.0% (1.0%, 3.0%). There were 194 cases in Ki-67<3% group and 108 cases in Ki-67≥3% group. Compared with the patients in Ki-67<3% group, the age of onset in Ki-67≥3% group was younger (P=0.029). Compared with the patients with paragangliomas without SDHB or Cluster 1A-related gene mutations, positive 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) imaging or negative O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) immunohistochemistry staining, those with SDHB or Cluster 1A-related gene mutations, negative 131I-MIBG imaging or positive MGMT immunohistochemistry staining had a higher Ki-67 index (all P<0.05). Compared with adrenal pheochromocytoma, retroperitoneal paragangliomas had a higher proportion of SDHB mutations and a higher proportion of normetanephrine (NMN) secretory types (all P<0.05). Compared with adrenal pheochromocytoma, the maximum diameter of head and neck paraganglioma tumors was smaller [3.0 (1.9, 3.8) cm vs 4.7 (3.4, 6.4) cm, P<0.001] and the proportion of Ki-67≥3% was higher (61.3% vs 33.8%, P=0.007). Conclusions: PPGLs patients with earlier onset age, SDHB or Cluster 1A-related gene mutations, negative 131I-MIBG imaging, or positive MGMT immunohistochemistry staining tend to have a higher Ki-67 index. Head and neck tumors, though smaller, exhibit a higher proliferation potential.

[Relationship between physical activity and the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease in Sichuan Province: a prospective study].

Objective: To investigate the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease among residents ≥30 years in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, and analyze the effect of physical activity level on the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. Methods: From 2004 to 2008, people from Pengzhou, Sichuan Province were randomly selected. All the local people aged 30-79 were asked to receive a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and long-term follow-up to determine the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. The physical activity level and the morbidity of cerebrovascular disease were described, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association of domain-specific physical activity with the risk of morbidity of cerebrovascular disease. Results: In 55 126 participants, there were 5 290 new cases of cerebrovascular disease, with a cumulative incidence of 9.60%. After the adjustment for multiple confounding factors, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that increased levels of occupational, transportation, and total physical activity reduced the risk of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). The highest group of occupational physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with a hazard ratio (HR) value of 0.81 (95%CI: 0.75-0.88), the highest group of transportation physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with an HR value of 0.84 (95%CI: 0.78-0.91), the highest group of total physical activity level had the lowest risk of cerebrovascular disease, with an HR value of 0.87 (95%CI: 0.80-0.94), compared with the lowest group of corresponding physical activity. No association was found between the household/leisure-time physical activity level and the risk of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). Conclusions: In project areas of Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, increased physical activity has been associated with reduced morbidity of cerebrovascular disease and its subtypes (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction). Increased levels of physical activity in adults are encouraged for health benefits.

[A prospective study on the relationship between exposure to solid fuels for heating and its duration and the risk of morbidity of respiratory diseases among residents aged 30-79 years].

Objective: To research the association between exposure to solid fuels for heating and its duration and the risk of respiratory diseases morbidity. Methods: Data from the China Kadoorie Biobank project sited in Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the association between exposure to solid fuels for heating and its duration and the risk of total respiratory diseases and the association between exposure to solid fuels for heating and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia among respiratory diseases. Results: A total of 46 082 participants aged 30-79 years were enrolled, with 11 634 (25.25%) heating during the winter, of whom 8 885 (19.28%) used clean fuels and 2 749 (5.97%) used solid fuels, of whom 34 448 (74.75%) did not heat. After controlling for multiple confounding factors, Cox proportional hazard regression model was used, which revealed that compared with clean fuels, unheating could reduce the risk of total respiratory disease (HR=0.81,95%CI:0.77-0.86), COPD (HR=0.86,95%CI:0.78-0.95) and pneumonia (HR=0.80,95%CI:0.74-0.86), respectively. Exposure to solid fuels increased the risk of total respiratory disease (HR=1.10, 95%CI:1.01-1.20) and were not associated with COPD and pneumonia. Compared with no solid fuel exposure, the risk of total respiratory disease (1-19 years:HR=1.23, 95%CI:1.10-1.37; 20-39 years:HR=1.25, 95%CI:1.16-1.35; ≥40 years:HR=1.26, 95%CI:1.15-1.39) and COPD (1-19 years: HR=1.21, 95%CI:1.03-1.42; 20-39 years: HR=1.30, 95%CI:1.16-1.46; ≥40 years:HR=1.35, 95%CI:1.18-1.54) increased with the length of exposure of solid fuels (trend test P<0.001). Solid fuels exposure for 1-19 years and 20-39 years increased the risk of COPD by 23% (HR=1.23,95%CI:1.02-1.49) and 16% (HR=1.16, 95%CI:1.00-1.35). Conclusion: Heating solid fuels exposure increases the risk of total respiratory disease, COPD, and pneumonia.

Factors associated with epidural-related maternal fever in low-risk term women: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The underlying mechanism of epidural-related maternal fever (ERMF) is not fully understood. This systematic review aimed to identify factors associated with ERMF in low-risk, full-term women using neuraxial analgesia. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Wanfang Data were searched from inception to September 10, 2022 with no language restriction. Studies reported descriptive data regarding the factors associated with ERMF. A random effects model meta-analysis was used to pool the raw data of univariate analyses for each identified factor. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eighteen observational studies involving 33 427 women were included, with 18 factors eligible for meta-analyses. Higher body mass index, baseline temperature, admission maternal interleukin-6 levels and white blood cell counts, nulliparity, increasing gestational age, longer duration of labor and rupture of membranes, increasing number of vaginal examinations, oxytocin use, higher birth weight, lower cervical dilation at initiation of analgesia, and longer analgesia duration were associated with increased risk of ERMF, while intermittent compared with continuous epidural dosing was associated with a decreased risk of ERMF (odds ratio 0.25, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.48, P < 0.001). However, heterogeneity among studies was high and the quality of evidence was low for these meta-analyses, except for intermittent epidural dosing. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors are associated with ERMF but may not be independent or causal. Further study is needed to clarify the interactions of these factors in ERMF development and whether modification of these factors might influence risk of ERMF.

[Relationship between smoking and the risk of morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases among residents aged 30 years and above in Sichuan Province: a prospective study].

Objective: To investigate the morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) in residents aged 30 years and above in Sichuan Province, and analyze the effect of smoking on the risk of morbidity on COPD. Methods: From 2004 to 2008, people were randomly selected from Pengzhou, Sichuan Province. All the local people aged 30-79 years were asked to receive questionnaire survey, physical examination and pulmonary function testing, and long-term follow-up to determine the morbidity of COPD. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the relationship between smoking and COPD. Results: In 46 540 participants, the current smoking rates were 67.31% in males and 8.67% in females, there were 3 101 new cases of COPD, with a cumulative incidence of 6.66%. Adjusted for age, gender, occupation, marriage, income level, educational level, BMI, daily total physical activity, current cooking frequency, whether there was smoke exhaust device at present and frequency of passive smoking exposure, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that compared with the non-smoking population, current smoking and quitting smoking increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.42 (95%CI:1.29-1.57) and 1.34 (95%CI:1.16-1.53). Compared with people who never or occasionally smoke, the risk of morbidity on COPD increased with the increase of average daily smoking volume, mixed smoking at present, mixed smoking at the beginning increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.79 (95%CI: 1.42-2.25) and 2.12 (95%CI: 1.53-2.92), started smoking at the age of <18 years old and ≥18 years old increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.61 (95%CI:1.43-1.82) and 1.34 (95%CI: 1.22-1.48), inhaling into the mouth, throat and lung during smoking increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.30 (95%CI: 1.16-1.45), 1.63 (95%CI: 1.45-1.83) and 1.37 (95%CI: 1.21-1.55). Adjusted for multiple confounding factors and adjusted for regression dilution bias, the average daily smoking volume, the age of starting smoking and the depth of smoking inhalation had an impact on the incidence of COPD, and the gender difference was particularly prominent. Conclusions: Smoking increased the risk of morbidity on COPD, which was related to the average daily smoking volume, the type of smoking, the age of starting smoking and the depth of smoking inhalation. Tobacco control should comprehensively consider the specific characteristics of smoking, so as to prevent COPD.

Probing Complex-Energy Topology via Non-Hermitian Absorption Spectroscopy in a Trapped Ion Simulator.

Non-Hermitian systems generically have complex energies, which may host topological structures, such as links or knots. While there has been great progress in experimentally engineering non-Hermitian models in quantum simulators, it remains a significant challenge to experimentally probe complex energies in these systems, thereby making it difficult to directly diagnose complex-energy topology. Here, we experimentally realize a two-band non-Hermitian model with a single trapped ion whose complex eigenenergies exhibit the unlink, unknot, or Hopf link topological structures. Based on non-Hermitian absorption spectroscopy, we couple one system level to an auxiliary level through a laser beam and then experimentally measure the population of the ion on the auxiliary level after a long period of time. Complex eigenenergies are then extracted, illustrating the unlink, unknot, or Hopf link topological structure. Our work demonstrates that complex energies can be experimentally measured in quantum simulators via non-Hermitian absorption spectroscopy, thereby opening the door for exploring various complex-energy properties in non-Hermitian quantum systems, such as trapped ions, cold atoms, superconducting circuits, or solid-state spin systems.

Quantum Simulation of the Two-Dimensional Weyl Equation in a Magnetic Field.

Quantum simulation of 1D relativistic quantum mechanics has been achieved in well-controlled systems like trapped ions, but properties like spin dynamics and response to external magnetic fields that appear only in higher dimensions remain unexplored. Here we simulate the dynamics of a 2D Weyl particle. We show the linear dispersion relation of the free particle and the discrete Landau levels in a magnetic field, and we explicitly measure the spatial and spin dynamics from which the conservation of helicity and properties of antiparticles can be verified. Our work extends the application of an ion trap quantum simulator in particle physics with the additional spatial and spin degrees of freedom.

Maternal serum C-reactive protein and white blood cell count at hospital admission as predictors of intrapartum maternal fever: a retrospective case-control study in women having epidural labor analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Non-infectious inflammation has been proposed as a major contributor to epidural-related maternal fever. We hypothesized that maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count at hospital admission predict intrapartum maternal fever. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of low-risk women admitted for vaginal deliveries at a tertiary hospital in 2019. Women with a singleton pregnancy at term and a cephalic presentation who received epidural labor analgesia and developed intrapartum fever (≥38.0°C) were included. Controls matched by parity and gestational age received epidural analgesia without fever. The associations of maternal CRP level and WBC count on admission with fever were evaluated by a multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive performances of both markers for fever were evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Overall, 687 women met the inclusion criteria and 687 served as controls. The WBC count on admission was higher in febrile than in afebrile women (8.7 vs. 8.5 × 109/L, P=0.001) and was moderately associated with fever (women within the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile, adjusted odds ratio 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34 to 2.75), but the predictive performance for fever was low (area under the ROC curve 0.55, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.58). Admission CRP values were not associated with fever. When stratified by labor status on admission, the association of WBC count with fever was only in non-laboring women. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum CRP and WBC at hospital admission do not predict intrapartum fever in women having epidural labor analgesia at term.

[Analysis on influencing factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Jinchang cohort].

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Jinchang cohort, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of NAFLD. Methods: A total of 20 051 patients without fatty liver at baseline survey and met the inclusion criteria in Jinchang cohort were selected as study subjects. Prospective cohort study and Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors for NAFLD, and the dose-response relationship between related biochemical indicators and NAFLD risk was studied by restricted cubic spline method. Results: The incidence of NAFLD was 42.37/1 000 person years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that being worker and technical personnel (being worker:HR=0.84,95%CI:0.70-0.99;being technical personnel:HR=0.73,95%CI:0.56-0.95), tea drinking (current drinking:HR=0.86,95%CI:0.78-0.94;previous drinking: HR=0.52,95%CI: 0.31-0.86), exercise (occasionally: HR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.68-0.91;frequently:HR=0.60,95%CI:0.52-0.69), low body weight (HR=0.10, 95%CI: 0.05-0.22), daily intake of dairy products >300 ml/day (HR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.71-0.87) and HBV infection (HR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.60-0.99) were the protective factors for NAFLD, while being internal or office workers (HR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.46-2.31), income ≥2 000 yuan (2 000- yuan: HR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.04-1.66; ≥5 000 yuan: HR=1.72, 95%CI:1.11-2.66), bachelor degree or above (HR=1.35,95%CI:1.03-1.76), overweight (HR=2.31, 95%CI:2.08-2.55), obesity (HR=3.95, 95%CI: 3.42-4.56), impaired fasting blood glucose (HR=1.31, 95%CI:1.17-1.47), diabetes (HR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.30-1.80), increased TC (HR=1.37,95%CI:1.24-1.52), increased TG (HR=1.79,95%CI: 1.62-1.98), decreased HDL-C (HR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.14-1.45), increased ALT (HR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.01-1.26) and high-fat diet (HR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.11-1.40) were the risk factors for NAFLD. Moreover, TC, TG, HDL-C, ALT and FPG all showed good dose-response relationship with the incidence of NAFLD. Conclusion: Occupation, education level, income level, tea drinking, exercise, BMI, FPG, blood lipid, ALT, HBV infection and diet were related to the incidence of NAFLD.

Experimental Realization of Multi-ion Sympathetic Cooling on a Trapped Ion Crystal.

Trapped ions are one of the leading platforms in quantum information science. For quantum computing with large circuit depth and quantum simulation with long evolution time, it is of crucial importance to cool large ion crystals at runtime without affecting the internal states of the computational qubits, thus the necessity of sympathetic cooling. Here, we report multi-ion sympathetic cooling on a long ion chain using a narrow cooling beam focused on two adjacent ions, and optimize the choice of the cooling ions according to the collective oscillation modes of the chain. We show that, by cooling a small fraction of ions, cooling effects close to the global Doppler cooling limit can be achieved. This experiment therefore demonstrates an important enabling step for quantum information processing with large ion crystals.

[The 488th case: chronic diarrhea and abnormal liver function].

A 56-year-old female was admitted to Department of Gastroenterology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital with diarrhea for seven months, and abnormal liver function for six months. She had a history of type 1 diabetes. The main clinical manifestations were recurrent fatty diarrhea and abnormal liver function, accompanied by abdominal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, elevated CA19-9 and CEA. Progressive impairment of hepatic synthetic function and shrinkage of liver developed in a short period of time. The pathology of liver biopsy suggested that nodular regeneration of hepatocytes was followed by hyperplasia of thin bile ducts after submassive necrosis. Intestinal mucosa biopsies were performed twice. The pathology showed that the intestinal villi were completely blunt, accompanied with crypt hyperplasia. Goblet cells disappeared with reduced mucin. Paneth cells were barely seen without intraepithelial infiltration of lymphocytes. Rifaximin was not effective, while glucocorticoids improved clinical situation. The diagnosis of autoimmune enteropathy was finally confirmed by multidisciplinary team including departments of gastroenterology, pathology, endocrinology, hematology, infectious diseases, and rheumatology. With the administration of glucocorticoid and sirolimus, diarrhea relieved and liver function returned to normal.

Experimental Realization of Robust Geometric Quantum Gates with Solid-State Spins.

We experimentally realize a universal set of single-bit and two-bit geometric quantum gates by adiabatically controlling solid-state spins in a diamond defect. Compared with the nonadiabatic approach, the adiabatic scheme for geometric quantum computation offers a unique advantage of inherent robustness to parameter variations, which is explicitly demonstrated in our experiment by showing that the single-bit gates remain unchanged when the driving field amplitude varies by a factor of 2 or the detuning fluctuates in a range comparable to the inverse of the gate time. The reported adiabatic control technique and its convenient implementation offer a paradigm for achieving quantum computation through robust geometric quantum gates, which is important for quantum information systems with parameter-fluctuation noise such as those from the inhomogeneous coupling or the spectral diffusion.

Incidence and risk factors for chronic pain after elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia in a Chinese cohort: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: China has one of the highest rates of caesarean delivery in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for chronic pain after caesarean delivery in a Chinese cohort. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery with a Pfannenstiel incision under spinal anaesthesia were recruited prospectively at a Chinese tertiary women's hospital. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory was measured before surgery. Postoperative analgesia was provided by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for 48 hours. Postoperative acute pain scores and analgesic consumption were assessed. After 3, 6 and 12 months, patients were interviewed by telephone regarding whether pain was present, and if present, the intensity, frequency, location and impact of the pain. RESULTS: In total 786 patients completed this study. The incidence of pain at 3, 6 and 12 months was 12.2%, 3.8% and 0.8% respectively. Of patients with pain at 3 months, most patients experienced pain daily (43.7%) or with intervals of a day or more between pain (41.7%), with intensity overall described as mild to moderate. The most common sites of pain were the incision or nearby (56.3%), and the low back (36.4%). Risk factors for pain at 3 months included previous caesarean delivery and higher analgesic consumption at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain after elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia occurs infrequently, especially in the long-term, in a Chinese population. Patients with a previous caesarean delivery and higher analgesic use were at increased risk.

[Changes of menstruation patterns and adverse effects during the treatment of LNG-IUS for symptomatic adenomyosis].

Objective: To investigate the changes of mestruation patterns and adverse effects during the treatment of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system(LNG-IUS)for symptomatic adenomyosis in a prospective cohort study. Methods: From December, 2006 to December, 2014, patients of symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given LNG-IUS. Before and after placement of IUS, all patients' parameters were recorded, including carrying status of IUS, symptoms and scores of dysmenorrhea, menstruation scores, biochemical indicators, physical parameters, menstruation patterns and adverse effects. Risk factors for changes of menstruation patterns and adverse effects, and their impact on treatment effects were analyzed. Results: Totally 1 100 cases met inclusion criteria, with median age 36 years(range 20-44 years), median follow-up 35 months(range 1 -108 months). During follow-up changes of menstruation patterns increased significantly with amenorrhea and shortened-menstruation being the most common manifestations. On 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after the placement of LNG-IUS, 0, 5.8%(43/744), 6.9%(47/682), 10.1%(60/595), 17.3%(87/502), 27.2%(104/383)and 29.6%(82/277)patients achieved amenorrhea respectively(P<0.01). Total and subclassification of adverse effects decreased significantly(P<0.01). Within 12 months and >12 months after placement, abdominal pain and body weight increasing ≥5 kg/year were the most common adverse effects. Changes of menstruation patterns, total and subclassifications of adverse effects were neither dependent on patient parameters, treatment modes and treatment effects, nor could predict future LNG-IUS carrying status(all P> 0.05). After taking out of LNG-IUS, most changes of menstruation and adverse effects disappeared. Conclusions: During the treatment of LNG-IUS for symptomatic adenomyosis, changes of menstruation patterns increase gradually with amenorrhea and shortened-menstruation being the most common manifestations, while adverse effects decrease significantly. Changes of menstruation patterns or adverse effects neither have any risk factor nor have impact on treatment effects.

[A prospective cohort study on the impact of placement timing of LNG-IUS for adenomyosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of placement in the procedures of gynecological laparoscopies or routine placement on the effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for symptomatic adenomyosis in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: From December, 2006 to December, 2014, patients with adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in outpatient or inpatient clinics of Peking Union Medical College Hospital received the treatment of LNG-IUS.Before and after placement of LNG-IUS all the parameters were recorded including carrying status of IUS, symptoms and scores of dysmenorrhea, menstruation scores, biochemical indicators, physical parameters, menstruation patterns and adverse effects.Impact of placement timing (in the procedures of laparoscopies vesus routine placement) on the treatment effects, menstruation patterns and adverse effects of LNG-IUS were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 100 patients meet the inclusion criteria, with median age 36 years (20-44 years), median follow-up 35 months (1-108 months), of which 385 cases (35.0%) received LNG-IUS in the procedures of gynecological laparoscopies. Most common indications and pathology outcomes were endometriosis, major of which had deep infiltrating endometriosis. The accumulative carrying ratio of LNG-IUS were 73% and 63% on 60 months for operative patients and non-operative patients respectively (P<0.001), and accumulative take-out ratio were 7.8% and 10.3% (P=0.044). Placement timing of LNG-IUS was the only significant factor related with loss to follow-up (P<0.001) and take-out ratio (P<0.001). Operations and pathological outcome had no significant impact on patients' treatment effects, changes of menstruation patterns, adverse effects in total or in subclass. CONCLUSION: Placement of LNG-IUS in the procedures of gynecological laparoscopies for symptomatic adenomyosis increased carrying ratio and reduce take-out ratio at patients'request, but didn't influence treatment effects or adverse effects.

Experimental realization of an entanglement access network and secure multi-party computation.

To construct a quantum network with many end users, it is critical to have a cost-efficient way to distribute entanglement over different network ends. We demonstrate an entanglement access network, where the expensive resource, the entangled photon source at the telecom wavelength and the core communication channel, is shared by many end users. Using this cost-efficient entanglement access network, we report experimental demonstration of a secure multiparty computation protocol, the privacy-preserving secure sum problem, based on the network quantum cryptography.