Prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology in endometrial carcinoma based on ESGO/ESTRO/ESP risk classification: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology (PC) on endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients under the ESGO/ESTRO/ESP risk classification. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed EC patients from 27 medical centers in China from 2000 to 2019. Patients were divided into three ESGO risk groups: low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-intermediate risk, and high-risk groups. The covariates were balanced by using the propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting (PS-IPTW). The prognostic significance of PC was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 6313 EC patients with PC results were included and positive PC was reported in 384 women (6.1%). The multivariate Cox analysis in all patients showed the positive PC was significantly associated with decreased PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-3.13, P < 0.001) and OS (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.49-3.40, P < 0.001),and the Kaplan-Meier curves also showed a poor survival in the intermediate and high-intermediate risk group (5-year PFS: 75.5% vs. 93.0%, P < 0.001; 5-year OS: 78.3% vs. 96.4%, P < 0.001); While in the low-risk group, there were no significant differences in PFS and OS between different PC status (5-year PFS: 93.1% vs. 97.3%, P = 0.124; 5-year OS: 98.6% vs. 98.2%, P = 0.823); in the high-risk group, significant difference was only found in PFS (5-year PFS: 62.5% vs. 77.9%, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Positive PC was an adverse prognostic factor for EC, especially in the intermediate and high-intermediate risk patients. Gynecologic oncologists should reconsider the effect of positive PC on different ESGO risk groups.

New chromones from the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk with anti-inflammatory activity.

Fifteen new chromones, sadivamones A-E (1-5), cimifugin monoacetate (6), sadivamones F-N (7-15), together with fifteen known chromones (16-30), were isolated from the ethyl acetate portions of 70% ethanol extract of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk roots. The structures of the isolates were determined using 1D/2D NMR data and electron circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Meanwhile, LPS induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was used to determine the potential anti-inflammatory activity of all the isolated compounds in vitro. The results showed that compounds 2, 8, 12-13, 18, 20-22, 24, and 27 significantly inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO in macrophages. To determine the signaling pathways involved in the suppression of NO production by compounds 8, 12 and 13, we investigated ERK and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) expression by western blot analysis. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that compounds 12 and 13 inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and the activation of ERK and JNK signaling in RAW264.7 cells via MAPK signaling pathways. Taken together, compounds 12 and 13 may be valuable candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The indication and treatment outcome predictors of mifepristone treating ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening disease and is an important cause of pregnancy-related mortality. MTX is the primary conservative treatment medicine of ectopic pregnancy, and mifepristone is also a promising medicine. Through studying the ectopic cases at the third affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, the study aims to analyze the indication and treatment outcome predictors of mifepristone. METHODS: The data of 269 ectopic pregnancy cases treated with mifepristone during the year 2011-2019 were retrospectively collected. Logistic-regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affiliated with the treatment outcome of mifepristone. Then ROC curve was used to analyze the indication and predictors. RESULTS: Through logistic-regression analysis, HCG is the only factor related to the treatment outcome of mifepristone. The AUC of ROC curve predicting treatment outcome with pre-treatment HCG is 0.715, and the cutoff value of ROC curve is 372.66 (sensitivity 0.752, specificity 0.619). The AUC of 0/4 ratio predicting the treatment outcome is 0.886, and the cutoff value is 0.3283 (sensitivity 0.967, specificity 0.683). The AUC of 0/7 ratio is 0.947, and the cutoff value is 0.3609 (sensitivity 1, specificity 0.828). CONCLUSIONS: Mifepristone can be used to treat ectopic pregnancy. HCG is the only factor related to the treatment outcome of mifepristone. Patients with HCG less than 372.66 U/L can be treated by mifepristone. If HCG descends more than 67.18% on the 4th day or 63.91% on the 7th day, it is more likely to have a successful treatment outcome. It is more precise to retest on the 7th day.

Phenylpropanoids from Solanum capsicoides and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Two new phenylpropanoids, 4-O-(1''-O-cis-caffeoyl)-ß-glucopyran osyl-1-allyl-3-methoxy-benzene (1), 4'-O-(1''-O-cis-caffeoyl)-ß-glucopyranosyl-hydroxymegastigm-4-en-3-one (2), together with nine known compounds were obtained from the leaves of Solanum capsicoides. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, and comparing spectral data with those in literature. Meanwhile, their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated on (LPS)-induced RAW 246.7 cells, and 1, 9, and 10 showed better inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 17.19 ± 1.12, 18.15 ± 0.47, and 19.8 ± 0.95 µM, respectively.

The trend of the distribution of ectopic pregnancy sites and the clinical characteristics of caesarean scar pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening occurrence and is an important cause of pregnancy-related mortality. We launched the study to investigate the distribution and its variation trend of the ectopic pregnancy sites and the clinical characteristics of caesarean scar pregnancy, to provide information for further clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 3915 patients were included in our study to calculate the distribution of the implantation sites of ectopic pregnancies. Then, we performed a χ2 test for trend and calculated the quantity of each type of ectopic pregnancy during 2012-2015 and 2016-2019 to analyse the variation trend. RESULTS: (1) The proportion of each site of ectopic pregnancy was as follows: tubal pregnancy (84.70%), ovarian pregnancy (1.56%), caesarean scar pregnancy (8.63%), abdominal pregnancy (0.61%), cornual pregnancy (2.68%), cervical pregnancy (0.49%), heterotopic pregnancy (0.43%). (2) Through the χ2 test for trend, the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy showed an upward trend (P = 0.005). From 2012 to 2015 and 2016-2019, the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy increased from 5.74 to 11.81% (P < 0.001). (3) A total of 72.78% (246/338) caesarean scar pregnancy patients had one caesarean delivery, 25.15% (85/338) had two caesarean deliveries, and 2.07% (7/338) had three caesarean deliveries. A total of 80.18% (271/338) had aborted before. The most common clinical manifestations were amenorrhea (98.52%), abdominal pain (25.74%) and vaginal bleeding (67.76%), the most common sign was uterine enlargement (46.75%). CONCLUSION: As the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy increases, the caesarean delivery rate should be decreased to decrease the morbidity of caesarean scar pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized ovum implants outside the endometrium of the uterine cavity, which is a life-threatening occurrence and is an important cause of pregnancy-related mortality. With the increase in pelvic and intrauterine operations, the distribution of ectopic sites has been changing, but the variation has been insufficiently studied. To investigate the distribution of ectopic sites and its variation trend in depth, we collected the data of 3915 ectopic pregnancy cases from the third affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University.Through χ² test for trend, the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy showed an upward trend (P = 0.005). From 2012 to 2015 and 2016­2019, the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy increased from 5.74 to 11.81% (P < 0.001). As the increasing of the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy, the clinical characteristics of caesarean scar pregnancy was analysed.A total of 72.78% (246/338) caesarean scar pregnancy patients had one caesarean delivery, 25.15% (85/338) had two caesarean deliveries, and 2.07% (7/338) had three caesarean deliveries. A total of 80.18% (271/338) had aborted before. The most common clinical manifestations were amenorrhea (98.52%), abdominal pain (25.74%) and vaginal bleeding (67.76%), the most common sign was uterine enlargement (46.75%).As the ratio of caesarean scar pregnancy increases, the caesarean delivery rate should be decreased to decrease the morbidity of caesarean scar pregnancy.

Two new quinic acid derivatives from the leaves of Schisandra chinensis.

Two new (1-2) and three known quinic acid derivatives (3-5) were isolated from the leaves of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baill. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially the NMR techniques, and also by comparison with reported data in the literature. The cytotoxicity activities of these compounds were evaluated on human tumor cell lines LN229 and three of them showed a certain activity.

Construction of novel antimicrobial peptide-modified extracellular matrix biologic scaffold material.

In the field of implantable medical devices, the antibacterial extracellular matrix (ECM) biologic scaffold, which is constructed by modifying biomaterials with antibacterial peptides, has excellent potential. An antibacterial peptide-modified ECM scaffold was formed with chitosan (CS), antimicrobial peptide (AMP), and ECM scaffold. Chitosan has a firm positive-charge surface and can combine with the ECM scaffold material to form a positive-charge layer on the surface. The surface potential was characterized using a surface potential map. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to observe the scaffold surface characteristics and cell morphology. Fluorescence staining and MTS assay kit were used to assess cytotoxicity and biocompatibility. To evaluate the antibacterial and repairing effects on the infected wounds in vivo, a subcutaneous antibacterial test of rabbit back was conducted. The antibacterial peptide-modified ECM scaffold was successfully formed and presented an excellent three-dimensional micro-surface porous structure. The antibacterial peptide-modified ECM scaffold could be effectively-prepared by surface modification and activation. Fluorescence staining tests showed good cell adhesion, proliferation ability, and cell affinity. The in vivo experiment indicated that the antibacterial ECM scaffold had antibacterial and healing-promotion abilities.

Ecdysteroids from the Aerial Parts of Paris verticillata.

Two new ecdysteroids 14-epi-polypodine B (1) and 22-oxo-hydroxyecdysterone (2), along with nine known compounds, polypodine B (3), viticosterone E (4), 20-hdroxyecdysone-2-acetate (5), 22-oxo-20-hydroxyecdysone (6), 5-hydroxyecdysone (7), pinnatasterone (8), 3-epi-20-hydroxyecdysone (9), ecdysterone (10) and stachysterone B (11), were isolated from the aerial parts of Paris verticillata. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations and ANN-PRA/DP4+ probability analysis. Among them, the absolute configuration of compound 1 and 2 was unambiguous determined by ECD. Also, the isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxic activities. Compounds 2, 3 and 7 exhibited significant cytotoxic activities against PC12, LN299 and SMCC7721 cells.

Discovery of Active Ingredients Targeted TREM2 by SPR Biosensor-UPLC/MS Recognition System, and Investigating the Mechanism of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity on the Lignin-Amides from Datura metel Seeds.

As a new target protein for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) was expressed on the surface of microglia, which was shown to regulate neuroinflammation, be associated with a variety of neuropathologic, and regarded as a potential indicator for monitoring AD. In this study, a novel recognition system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for the TREM2 target spot was established coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), in order to screen the active ingredients targeting TREM2 from Datura metel seeds. The results showed that four lignan-amides were discovered as candidate compounds by SPR biosensor-UPLC/MS recognition analysis. According to the guidance of the active ingredients discovered by the system, the lignin-amides from Datura metel seeds (LDS) were preliminarily identified as containing 27 lignan-amides, which were enriched compositions by the HP-20 of Datura metel seeds. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory activity of LDS was evaluated in BV2 microglia induced by LPS. Our experimental results demonstrated that LDS could reduce NO release in LPS-treated BV2 microglia cells and significantly reduce the expression of the proteins of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), microtubule-associated protein tau (Tau), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1). Accordingly, LDS might increase the expression of TREM2/DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) and suppress the Toll-like receptor SX4 (TLR4) pathway and Recombinant NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing Protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) inflammasome expression by LDS in LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells. Then, the inhibitory release of inflammatory factors Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inflammatory cytokines were detected to inhibit neuroinflammatory responses. The present results propose that LDS has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory agent against microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders.

New withanolides with anti-inflammatory activity from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Twenty three undescribed withanolides, daturmetelides A-W (1-23), were isolated from 70% EtOH extract of the leaves of Datura metel L. The structural characterizations and relative configurations of 1-23 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as by comparison with literature values. The absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Bioassay results showed that 1 and 7 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 values of 13.74 µM and 13.92 µM, respectively). In addition, 1 and 7 showed significant anti-inflammatory activities against the production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and COX-2. Western blot analysis was further performed to reveal the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action via inhibition of the NF-κB activation.

Construction and Validation of Nomograms for Predicting the Prognosis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare female malignancy with poor survival rates. The objective of this study was to construct prognostic nomograms for predicting the prognosis of women with uLMS. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with uLMS diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The essential clinical predictors were identified via univariate and multivariate Cox analysis models. Nomograms were constructed to predict the 3- and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots were constructed to validate the predictive performance of nomograms. RESULTS We enrolled 1448 patients with uLMS from the SEER database, with 1016 categorized into a training set and 432 categorized into a validation set. In multivariate analysis of the training set, predictors including age, disease stage, histological grade, tumor size, and surgery type were found to be associated with OS and CSS. Race and chemotherapy were only associated with OS. Construction of nomograms based on these predictors was performed to evaluate the prognosis of uLMS patients. The C-index and calibration curves also showed the satisfactory performance of these nomograms for prediction of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS The developed nomograms are useful tools for precisely analyzing the prognosis of uLMS patients, which could help clinicians in making personalized survival predictions and assessing individualized clinical options.

Lignans and Terpenoids from the Leaves of Schisandra chinensis.

Fifteen constituents, including one new lignan (schisandroside E) and one new terpenoid (schisandenoid A) as well as nine known lignans and four known terpenoids, were isolated from Schisandra chinensis leaves. The structures of schisandroside E and schisandenoid A were established by entirely meticulous spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS, CD, IR and UV). All compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against MGC-803, Caco-2 and Ishikawa cell lines. Some compounds showed strong cytotoxicity against these three cancer cell lines with IC50 <1 µm.

Expression Profiles of the Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN), CDH1, and CDH2 Genes, and the Cell Membrane Protein, CD133, in the Ishikawa Human Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Cell Line.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the expression profile of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene, the cadherin genes, CDH1 and CDH2, and the cell membrane glycoprotein, CD133, in the Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cell groups included cells transfected with the pLVX-puro lentiviral expression vector (the Ishikawa-puro group) and cells transfected with the pLVX-puro-PTEN lentiviral expression vector (the Ishikawa-PTEN group). The mRNA expression of the cadherin genes, CDH1 and CDH2, was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expression levels of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD133, a cancer stem cell marker, was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The expression of CDH1 and CDH2 mRNA in the Ishikawa-PTEN cells was lower than in the control cells. CD133 expression was lower in the Ishikawa-PTEN cells compared with the control cells. CONCLUSIONS This in vitro study showed that in Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cells, downregulation of PTEN was associated with the expression of the CDH1 and CDH2 genes and upregulated expression of the cell membrane glycoprotein, CD133, which are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in malignancy. These findings support the need for further studies to investigate the potential role of PTEN in invasion and metastasis in endometrial carcinoma.

Therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on tubal factor infertility using a chronic salpingitis murine model.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to evaluate the application of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in the treatment of tubal factor infertility (TFI) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, and investigate their effect on fertility in animal models of chronic salpingitis. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the therapy effects of the transplantation of hUCMSCs in tubal factor infertility using a chronic salpingitis murine model which induced Chlamydia trachomatis. Twenty rats were divided into two groups: control group (n = 10) and treatment group (n = 10). hUCMSCs were given to mice after exposure to C. trachomatis for 4 weeks. After treatment for 4 weeks, five mice were randomly selected from each of the two groups to sacrifice and we examined the organ morphology and pathology, inflammatory cytokines, proliferation, and apoptosis in fallopian tube (FT).The remaining five mice from each group were caged 2:1 with male mice for another 4 weeks, the numbers of pregnant mice and the mean number of pups in the different groups were enumerated and calculated. RESULTS: Intravaginal inoculation of hUCMSCs alleviated hydrosalpinx of the oviduct. EdU-labeled hUCMSCs are located at the interstitial site of the fallopian tube. Macrophage (F4/80) infiltration was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group and expression levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 were increased after hUCMSCs treatment. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expression levels of PCNA and Caspase-3 were increased and decreased, respectively, in the hUCMSCs' treatment group compared with the control. Moreover, hUCMSCs' transplantation improved murine fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of hUCMSCs may play an important role in TFI. Our data suggest that hUCMSCs' transplantation contributed to the repair of tubal injury and improvement of fertility, providing a basis for assessing the contribution of stem cells in the oviduct for direct repair of the tube to assist reproduction.

Oscope identifies oscillatory genes in unsynchronized single-cell RNA-seq experiments.

Oscillatory gene expression is fundamental to development, but technologies for monitoring expression oscillations are limited. We have developed a statistical approach called Oscope to identify and characterize the transcriptional dynamics of oscillating genes in single-cell RNA-seq data from an unsynchronized cell population. Applying Oscope to a number of data sets, we demonstrated its utility and also identified a potential artifact in the Fluidigm C1 platform.

Effects of Lignans from Schisandra chinensis Rattan Stems against Aß1-42-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats and Neurotoxicity in Primary Neuronal Cells.

Oxidative stress, which is caused by Amyloid-ß deposition in brain, plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we found that lignans from Schisandra chinensis rattan stems (rsSCH-L) could reduce the escape latency and the distance travelled by the Aß1-42 injected rats while the crossing platform time was enhanced in the Morris water maze test. Further research demonstrated that lignans from rsSCH-L attenuated Aß1-42-induced neuronal cell injury by increasing the content of SOD and GSH-Px and decreasing the levels of LDH, ROS, and MDA. Moreover, rsSCH-L also inhibited the apoptosis of primary neuronal cells. The mechanisms of the apoptosis were related with the downregulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, and upregulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, the results show that rsSCH-L can improve cognitive ability in vivo. Meanwhile rsSCH-L exhibit a neuroprotective environment against oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, rsSCH-L may be a potential therapeutic agent for this neurodegenerative disease.

Mother-to-child transmission of HBV: review of current clinical management and prevention strategies.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is responsible for approximately half of the HBV transmission routes and continues to be a challenging problem worldwide. Even after the development of effective vaccines and clear World Health Organization guidelines toward HBV several decades ago, 1-9% newborns of HBV-carrying mothers still acquire HBV in early life as a result of in utero infection. The prevention of MTCT is of high importance, because chronically infected individuals function as a reserve for sustained HBV transmission, and 25% of them can develop asymptomatic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this article, we review the canonical and novel HBV infection routes/mechanisms, influencing factors, diagnostic criteria, and interruption strategies for HBV MTCT. The preventative strategy of HBV MTCT has evolved from routine postpartum HB immune globulin (HBIG) plus HB vaccine schedules to administration of HBIG or nucleoside analogs during pregnancy and minimizing the exposure of maternal body fluids to the newborn during delivery.

[Value of hysteroscopy and dilatation and curettage in diagnosis of endometrial cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the value of hysteroscopy and dilatation and curettage (DC) in diagnosis of endometrial cancer. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included clinical pathologic data of 3 676 patients with endometrial cancer from Jan. 1, 2000 to Dec. 31, 2010 in hospitals of endometrial cancer prevention projects in Guangdong Province. RESULTS: A total of 3 676 patients with endometrial cancer were divided into DC group (3 211 patients) and hysteroscopy group (465 patients). Compared to the results of pathological diagnosis, the accuracy rate between DC group and in hysteroscopy group were no statistically difference was 91.00% (2 922/3 211) vs 90.75% (422/465; χ² = 0.030, P = 0.862). The accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of cervical involvement between DC group and hysteroscopy group were 81.28% vs 86.45% (P < 0.01), 24.78% vs 23.68% (P > 0.05), 93.76% vs 98.71% (P < 0.01), 46.75% vs 78.26% (P < 0.01) and 84.95% vs 86.88% (P > 0.05), respectively. Rate of positive peritoneal cytology in DC group was 4.76% (153/3 211), and the rate was 3.23% (15/465) in hysteroscopy group, which were no statistically difference (χ² = 2.206, P = 0.137). There were no statistically difference in 5-year overall survival (91.02% vs 92.03%; χ² = 0.033, P = 0.856) and 5-year progression-free survival (89.81% vs 91.83%; χ² = 1.508, P = 0.219) between DC group and hysteroscopy group. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy and dilatation and curettage is an effective method in diagnosis of endometrial cancer, especially hysteroscopy is better in diagnosis of cervical involvement. Hysteroscopy don't improve risks of positive peritoneal cytology and don't affect the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Chronic Salpingitis by Modulating Macrophage-Associated Inflammatory Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely studied because of their established anti-inflammatory properties. During chronic salpingitis (CS), infiltrated macrophages have vital roles in inflammation and tissue remodeling. METHODS: We employed the type of MSCs, human umbilical cord (huc) MSCs in an experimental CS model and therapeutic efficacy was assessed. hucMSCs exerted this therapeutic effect by regulating macrophage function. To verify the regulatory effects of hucMSCs on the macrophage, macrophage line RAW264.7 markers were analyzed under LPS stimulation with or without co-culturing with hucMSCs for 12h and 24h. In addition, flow cytometry analysis was applied to reveal the interaction of co-culture. For animal studies, CS was induced by the MoPn strain Chlamydia trachomatis(CT), hucMSCs were intravaginally injected in the CS, and we analyzed the infiltrated macrophage by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: We found the markers IL-10 was markedly increased and IL-1ß, caspase-1 was notably downregulated after co-culturing with hucMSCs by RT-PCR. hucMSCs promote macrophage line RAW264.7 apoptosis. We also found that hucMSCs treatment can alleviate CS by decreasing the mRNA expression of IL-1ß, caspase-1 and MCP-1 in the tubal tissue by RT-PCR and decreasing the protein expression of IL-1ß, caspase-1 and TGF-ß by western blotting. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that macrophage function may be related to the immune-modulating characteristics of hucMSCs that contribute to CS.

CCDet: Confidence-Consistent Learning for Dense Object Detection.

Modern detectors commonly employ classification scores to reflect the localization quality of detection results. However, there exists an inconsistency between them, misguiding the selection of high-quality predictions and providing unreliable results for downstream applications. In this paper, we find that the root of this confidence inconsistency lies in the inaccurate IoU estimation and the spatial misalignment of the learned features between the classification and localization tasks. Therefore, a Confidence-Consistent Detector (CCDet) which includes the Distribution-based IoU Prediction (DIP) and Consistency-aware label assignment (CLA), is proposed. DIP provides more stable and accurate IoU estimation by learning the probability distribution over the IoU range and employing the expectation as the predicted IoU. CLA adopts both the prediction performance and consistency degree of samples as assignment metrics to select positives, which guides the classification and localization tasks to promote similar feature distribution. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that CCDet can effectively mitigate the confidence inconsistency between classification and localization, and achieve stable improvement across different baselines. On the test-dev set of MS COCO, CCDet acquires a single-model single-scale AP of 50.1%, surpassing most of the existing object detectors.