The impact of heterotopic ovarian tissue transplantation with varied volumes on reproductive endocrine function in oophorectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation on the reproductive endocrine function of rats after oophorectomy. METHODS: Female rats were selected to establish a castration model and then underwent different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation. Group I served as the sham operation group. The transplantation group was divided into five subgroups based on the calculated ratio of ovarian weight to body weight in normal female rats, δ = (2.52 ± 0.17) ×10-4: Group II: transplanted ovarian volume was δ; Group III: 0.75δ; Group IV: 0.5δ; Group V: 0.25δ; Group VI: without ovarian transplantation. The post-transplant oestrous cycle recovery was observed, and blood samples were collected every 2 weeks to measure serum hormone levels. Histological evaluation was performed at the end of the observation period. RESULTS: Rats in Group V exhibited disrupted oestrous cycles after transplantation, which were significantly longer than those in Group I. Rats in Groups II, III, and IV showed no cyclic changes. At 6 weeks post-transplantation, rats in Group V had lower E2 and AMH levels and higher FSH levels compared to Group I. The uterine wet weight and the number of normal follicles in Group V were significantly lower than those in Group I, but the number of atretic follicles was higher than in Group I. CONCLUSION: The larger ovarian tissue transplantation resulted in a faster recovery with a higher survival rate of the uterus and normal follicles, compared to smaller ovarian tissue transplantation.

With advancements in science and technology, ovarian transplantation techniques have become increasingly mature. However, there are still many questions that need to be addressed. For instance, the large size of the transplanted ovarian tissues may cause over-recruitment of the primordial follicles. When the transplanted ovarian tissue is too small, it can only exert limited functionality and may not meet the patient's needs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different volumes of ovarian tissue transplantation on the reproductive endocrine function in rats after oophorectomy, and to provide a theoretical basis for determining the minimum effective volume of heterotopic ovarian tissue transplantation.

Attending with family members, completion rate and benefits accrued from chronic disease self-management program.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) has been demonstrated effective in addressing the self-management of chronic conditions among older adults. With a higher attrition rate, this study investigated whether attending with family members influenced completion of and benefits accrued from the CDSMP. METHODS: The baseline data were collected from CDSMP participants in New York State (n = 4184), and the follow-up data were collected from completers (attended 4+ sessions) (n = 293). Multi-level logistic regression was employed to predict the association between family accompany and program completion. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the differences in benefits from CDSMP after six months. RESULTS: Attending with family members was associated with a higher likelihood of completing the CDSMP (OR = 1.626, p < .05). All completers reported small but significant improvements in self-rated health at six months (p < .001), and the changes were greater for those with family members. Males, caregivers, those aged 65 to 84 years old, with college or above education, were more accompanied by family members. Workshops in senior centers, libraries, or educational institutions attracted more family companions. DISCUSSION: Engaging family members may increase CDSMP participants' motivation to complete the program. CDSMP providers should encourage participants to attend with their family members.

Bimetallic organic framework derivation of three-dimensional and heterogeneous metal selenides/carbon composites as advanced anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Heterogeneous structures have been attracting increasing attention in energy storage and conversion applications due to the phase interface and synergistic effect of multiple components. Herein, bimetal organic framework analogues were introduced to construct a Zn/Co bimetallic selenide heterostructure within a 3D-porous N-doped carbon matrix by a NaCl template-assisted lyophilization and annealing process. The cross-linked 3D network can enhance the transport kinetics for both lithium ions and electrons. The stress resulting from the cycling process can be released by interconnected channels in the composite. ZnSe and CoSe2 experience electrochemical reactions at different potentials, which can buffer volume changes mutually to effectively increase structural stability. Meanwhile, abundant active sites due to the heterostructure enhance pseudocapacitive performance and reaction kinetics, resulting in high specific capacity and good rate performance. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the three-dimensional ZnSe/CoSe2-C composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 700 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g-1.

Three-Dimensional Carbon-Coated Treelike Ni3S2 Superstructures on a Nickel Foam as Binder-Free Bifunctional Electrodes.

Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures are commonly endowed with numerous active sites, large specific surface area, and good mechanical strength, which make them as an efficient candidate for energy storage and conversion. Herein, by considering the advantages of 3D nanostructures, we successfully fabricated carbon-coated nickel sulfide on a nickel foam (C@NS@NF) with a unique 3D treelike superstructure via a two-step hydrothermal process. By virtue of its hierarchical superstructures, 3D treelike architecture, and carbon shell encapsulation, the as-fabricated carbon-coated Ni3S2 can be directly served as binder-free bifunctional electrodes for supercapacitor and hydrogen evolution reaction, where high specific areal capacitance (6.086 F cm-2 at 10 mA cm-2) for supercapacitors and low overpotential (92 mV at 10 mA cm-2) for the electrocatalyst have been demonstrated. These inspiring results of this material make it as a potential candidate for energy storage and conversion.

Caregiving Load and Respite Service Use: A Comparison between Older Caregivers and Younger Caregivers.

Study aims were to explore differences in predictors of respite care use between older (aged 65+) and younger caregivers (aged 18-64 years), and associations between caregiving load and respite care use using multivariate logistic regression analysis and unpaid caregiver (n= 10,500) data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Caregiving load comprised number of care recipients, weekly hours in caregiving, and caregiving duration. Variables with a significant association with respite care for older caregivers were female gender, income, and health insurance. For younger caregivers, respite care use associations were with ethnicity, caregiving relationship, education, and availability of substitute help.

Experimental study on the inhibition effect of miR-106a inhibitor on tumor growth of ovarian cancer xenografts mice.

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibition effect of miR-106a inhibitor on tumor growth of ovarian cancer xenografts mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were selected as experimental animals, ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells transfected with miR-106a inhibitor and its negative control were inoculated subcutaneously, intratumoral injection of miR-106a inhibitor and its negative control were continued after tumor formation, and they were enrolled as treatment group and model group, respectively. Tumor volume and weight as well as Ki-67 and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) expression were determined; miR-106a inhibitor and its negative control as well as miR-106a mimic and its negative control were transfected into SKOV-3 cells, and expression of PDCD4 in cells was determined. RESULTS: Tumor tissue volume and weight as well as mRNA expression and protein expression of Ki-67 in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group while mRNA expression and protein expression of PDCD4 were significantly higher than those in the model group; transfection of miR-106a mimic could decrease mRNA expression and protein expression of PDCD4 in SKOV-3 cells, and transfection of miR-106a inhibitor could increase mRNA expression and protein expression of PDCD4 in SKOV-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Transfection of miR-106a inhibitor can inhibit the growth of tumor in ovarian cancer xenografts mice through increasing the expression of PDCD4.

Transvaginal Surgical Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy II (CSP-II): An Analysis of 25 Cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical value of transvaginal surgical treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP-II). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of 25 CSP-II patients who received transvaginal surgical treatments. These patients were admitted in our hospital between January 2010 and June 2012. RESULTS: All surgical treatments were successful without overt complications. The average operation time was 61.5 minutes, the average intraoperative blood loss was 60.5 ml, the average hospital stay was 9.4 days and the average time that blood ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-HCG) returned to normal range was 15 days. In all 25 patients, the cesarean scar mass located at the anterior wall of the lower uterine segment disappeared by B-ultrasound examination within 1 or 2 weeks after surgery. Postoperatively, the normal menstrual period started again with an average time of 28.9 days. No menstruation-related abnormalities, such as menstrual dripping or an abnormal amount of blood, were reported after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal surgery for CSP-II is a novel surgical approach. It has several advantages, including a thorough one-time treatment lesion clearance, short operation time, minimized trauma, minimal intraoperative blood loss, quick reduction of blood ß-HCG, and rapid menstruation recovery. It is a simple and feasible surgical approach of great clinical value and few treatment-related complications.

Relationship of tumor marker CA125 and ovarian tumor stem cells: preliminary identification.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify a prospective association between CA125 and tumorigenic ovarian cancer cells, using the new method of orthotopic transplantation (1). METHOD: After making the surgical ovarian cancer specimen into cell suspension, we separated the tumorigenic cells from the nontumorigenic cancer cells based on cell surface marker (cancer antigen CA125 and lineage markers) expression. We developed a SCID mice model in which the CA125+/ lineage- and CA125-/ lineage- cells were injected into ovarian parenchyma by use of a microinjector. As a measure of effectiveness of tumor-forming, tumor weight, abdominal distension, ascites volume and activity, subcutaneous fat were determined or observed. Immunohistochemistry was done to determine tumor cell markers. RESULTS: We found that the cells of CA125+/ lineage- were able to form new tumors; whereas, an equal quantity of CA125-/lineage- cells failed to form any tumors. The new generated tumor contained additional CA125-/lineage- tumorigenic cells as well as the phenotypically diverse population of nontumorigenic cells. Quantities were judged to be significantly different P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: CA125+/ lineage- cells, which may be ovarian cancer stem cells, were the source for tumor recurrence. The strategies designed to target this cell population may lead to more effective therapies.

New construction of an animal model for the orthotopic transplantation of an ovarian tumor.

A new technique has successfully established the non-obese diabetic/severely combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse model of ovarian cancer. Under 4% chloral hydrate (0.1 mL/g dose) anesthesia, female mice were inoculated with tumor-cell suspension. The expression rate of OVCAR3 to CA125 was assessed using flow cytometry. The inoculated site was hand palpated and the signs and symptoms related to tumor growth were observed with the naked eye. The allophycocyanin (APC) indirectly labeled mouse-antihuman CA125 and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled anti-mouse MHC Class I molecule (H-2K(d)/H-2D(d)) were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The animal model of ovarian cancer constructed using this method can more directly reflect the characteristics of cancer cells. It provides reliable experimental results and presents a technical platform for the research of ovarian cancer stem cells.

[Clinical study on 57 cases with caesarean scar pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate treatment of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) and associated problem. METHODS: From January 2011 to January 2013, 57 cases with CSP undergoing treatment in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were studied retrospectively. Among 57 patients, it was divided into 12 cases treated by curettage (curettage group); 22 cases treated by uterine artery embolization(embolization group);8 cases treated by laparotomy(laparotomy group) and 15 cases treated by transvaginal debridement(transvaginal group). RESULTS: (1)Successful rate of curettage group, embolization group, laparotomy group and transvaginal group were 12/12, 86% (19/22), 7/8, 13/15. (2) The intraoperative blood loss and the hospital stay were 20 (17-28) ml,(5.1 ± 1.9) days in curettage group, 10 (5-15) ml, (10.2 ± 3.2) days in embolization group, 200 (80-300) ml, (11.3 ± 3.3) days in laparotomy group, 50 (45-100) ml, (6.8 ± 1.2) days in transvaginal group. There was statistically different between curettage group and embolization group (P < 0.05). There was statistically different between laparotomy group and transvaginal group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curettage, uterine artery embolization, abdominal and transvaginal scar debridement surgery can be used in treatment of the CSP. It should be carefully chosen with surgical intervention, if myometrium was implanted greater than 1/2, or near to serosa.It should be carefully chosen with vaginal surgery, if the blood flow signals was rich around the lesion.

[Management and risk factors of recurrent gestational trophoblastic tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management, prognosis and prognostic risk factors of recurrent gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT). METHODS: One thousand one hundred and thirty GTT patients, aged 29 +/- 6, were hospitalized and treated and 901 of them got complete remission (CR). Among these CR patients, 31 suffered relapsed. The clinical data of these 31 cases were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients suffered 15.3 months (6-72 months) after the cessation of treatment with an overall recurrence rate of 3.4% (31/901). Four of the 31 patients suffered relapse repeatedly (totally seven times), resulting in an overall re-recurrence rate of 22.6% (7/31). Twenty-five of the 31 patients were re-hospitalized and received treatment. Eighteen of them got complete remission (CR), 3 got partial remission (PR), and 4 died of progress of the disease (PD). The major adverse prognostic risk factors included: clinical stage (P < 0.05), an interval of more than 12 months from the antecedent pregnancy to chemotherapy (OR = 3.170, P < 0.05), declination of beta-hCG level back to normal titer after more than seven courses of chemotherapy (OR = 4.775, P < 0.05), and less than two courses of consolidation chemotherapy (OR = 0.441, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More attention should be given to those GTT patients with adverse prognostic risk factors. Multi-drug and multiple route chemotherapy and/or combined surgical intervention can be used to improve the cure rate and lower the re-recurrence rate of the GTT recurrent patients.