Objective:To evaluate the impact of oral melatonin on clinical pregnancy outcomes in elderly infer-tile patients with diminished ovarian reserve(DOR)after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:Sixty-two elderly infertile patients with DOR who underwent IVF at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Qinghai Province People's Hospital from January 1,2022 to June 30,2023 were selected.They were divided into intervention group(24 cases)and control group(38 cases)according to whether they received oral melatonin pretreatment before ovulation induction.Follicular fluid without diluent or blood contamination was collected from the first large follicle on the day of oocyte retrieval,and melatonin levels and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyglycoside(8-OHdG)levels in the follicular gluid were measured.Ovulation promotion indicators and pregnancy outcomes were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results:The concentration of melatonin in follicular fluid in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(31.75 ng/L vs.10.40 ng/L,P＜0.001),the concentration of 8-OHdG was lower than that of the control group(133.61 ng/L vs.145.30 ng/L,P=0.004);the implantation rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(56.10％vs.26.87％,P=0.002),and the biochemical pregnancy rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(12.50％vs.0,P=0.050).There were no significant differences in normal fertilization rate,high-quality embryo rate,clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions:Oral melatonin can increase its level in follicular fluid,which is beneficial in improving endom-etrial receptivity,and has a certain positive effect on improving IVF-ET outcomes.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of oral melatonin on clinical pregnancy outcomes in elderly infer-tile patients with diminished ovarian reserve(DOR)after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:Sixty-two elderly infertile patients with DOR who underwent IVF at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Qinghai Province People's Hospital from January 1,2022 to June 30,2023 were selected.They were divided into intervention group(24 cases)and control group(38 cases)according to whether they received oral melatonin pretreatment before ovulation induction.Follicular fluid without diluent or blood contamination was collected from the first large follicle on the day of oocyte retrieval,and melatonin levels and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyglycoside(8-OHdG)levels in the follicular gluid were measured.Ovulation promotion indicators and pregnancy outcomes were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results:The concentration of melatonin in follicular fluid in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(31.75 ng/L vs.10.40 ng/L,P＜0.001),the concentration of 8-OHdG was lower than that of the control group(133.61 ng/L vs.145.30 ng/L,P=0.004);the implantation rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(56.10％vs.26.87％,P=0.002),and the biochemical pregnancy rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(12.50％vs.0,P=0.050).There were no significant differences in normal fertilization rate,high-quality embryo rate,clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions:Oral melatonin can increase its level in follicular fluid,which is beneficial in improving endom-etrial receptivity,and has a certain positive effect on improving IVF-ET outcomes.

Background::Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress response protein and is related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association between GDF-15 and pre-eclampsia (PE).Method::The study involved 299 pregnant women, out of which 236 had normal pregnancies, while 63 participants had PE. Maternal serum levels of GDF-15 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and then translated into multiple of median (MOM) to avoid the influence of gestational week at blood sampling. Logistic models were performed to estimate the association between GDF-15 MOM and PE, presenting as odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results::MOM of GDF-15 in PE participants was higher compared with controls (1.588 vs. 1.000, p < 0.001). In the logistic model, pregnant women with higher MOM of GDF-15 (>1) had a 4.74-fold (95% CI= 2.23-10.08, p < 0.001) increased risk of PE, adjusted by age, preconceptional body mass index, gravidity, and parity. Conclusions::These results demonstrated that higher levels of serum GDF-15 were associated with PE. GDF-15 may serve as a biomarker for diagnosing PE.

Background::Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress response protein and is related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association between GDF-15 and pre-eclampsia (PE).Method::The study involved 299 pregnant women, out of which 236 had normal pregnancies, while 63 participants had PE. Maternal serum levels of GDF-15 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and then translated into multiple of median (MOM) to avoid the influence of gestational week at blood sampling. Logistic models were performed to estimate the association between GDF-15 MOM and PE, presenting as odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results::MOM of GDF-15 in PE participants was higher compared with controls (1.588 vs. 1.000, p < 0.001). In the logistic model, pregnant women with higher MOM of GDF-15 (>1) had a 4.74-fold (95% CI= 2.23-10.08, p < 0.001) increased risk of PE, adjusted by age, preconceptional body mass index, gravidity, and parity. Conclusions::These results demonstrated that higher levels of serum GDF-15 were associated with PE. GDF-15 may serve as a biomarker for diagnosing PE.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a diffuse brain dysfunction caused by sepsis, characterized by altered consciousness and cognitive dysfunction. Microglia, as the main immune cells in the brain, is an important factor in SAE progression. Microglia surface receptors play important roles in SAE pathogenesis by affecting microglia activation; in addition, microglia activation is involved in SAE by exacerbating neuroinflammation, impairing the blood-brain barrier and synaptic function. In this paper, the mechanism of microglial surface receptors and microglial activation in SAE development is reviewed to provide new ideas for SAE prevention and treatment.

The sigma-1 receptor (R) is a unique intracellular protein. R plays a major role in various pathological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS), implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Imaging of R in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) could serve as a noninvasively tool for enhancing the understanding of the disease's pathophysiology. Moreover, R PET tracers can be used for target validation and quantification in diagnosis. Herein, we describe the radiosynthesis, PET/CT imaging of novel R C-labeled radioligands based on 6-hydroxypyridazinone, [C]HCC0923 and [C]HCC0929. Two radioligands have high affinities to R, with good selectivity. In mice PET/CT imaging, both radioligands showed appropriate kinetics and distributions. Additionally, the specific interactions of two radioligands were reduced by compounds and (self-blocking). Of the two, [C]HCC0929 was further investigated in positive ligands blocking studies, using classic R agonist SA 4503 and R antagonist PD 144418. Both R ligands could extensively decreased the uptake of [C]HCC0929 in mice brain. Besides, the biodistribution of major brain regions and organs of mice were determined . These studies demonstrated that two radioligands, especially [C]HCC0929, possessed ideal imaging properties and might be valuable tools for non-invasive quantification of R in brain.

Objective Less surveys on the economic burden of hepatitis B (HB)-related diseases have been conducted in China,so the socioeconomic harm caused by the diseases is not clear and the key parameters for economic evaluation of hepatitis B prevention and treatment are lacking.This study aimed to analyze the direct,indirect and intangible expenditures of hospitalized patients with HB-related diseases during hospitalization and during a year in different areas of China.Methods The hospitals for infectious diseases and the large general hospitals in 12 areas in China were selected in the study.All the inpatients with HB-related diseases were surveyed by cluster sampling of consecutive cases.The direct expenditure included direct medical cost and direct non-medical cost.The indirect expenditure,including work loss of patients and caregivers,were calculated by using human capital method for urban and rural populations in 12 areas.The intangible expenditure were reflected by willing to pay and stochastic tournament.The influencing factors of direct and indirect costs were identified by stepwise linear multi-variation regression analysis.Results A total of 27 hospitals in 12 areas were included in the survey.A total of 4 718 cases were surveyed,the overall response rate was 77.7％.The average hospital stay was 29.2 days (27-34) and the hospitalization expenditure was averagely 16 832.80 yuan (RMB) per case,in which the highest proportion (61.2％)was medicine fees [10 365.10 yuan (RMB)].The average direct expenditure and indirect expenditure were consistent with the severity of illness,which were 18 336.10 yuan (RMB) and 4 759.60 yuan (RMB) respectively,with the ratio of 3.85:1.The direct medical expenditure [17 434.70 yuan (RMB)] were substantially higher than the direct non-medical expenditure [901.40 yuan (RMB)].It was found that the hospitalization expenses was highest in direct medical expenditure and the transportation expenses was highest in direct non-medical expenditures.Among the average indirect expenditure,the loss of income for the patients [3 832.50 yuan (RMB)] was higher than that for the caregivers [927.20 yuan (RMB)],The total direct and indirect expenditure was highest for liver transplantation,followed by severe hepatitis,hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis,acute hepatitis B,compensated cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B.The influencing factors for both direct and indirect expenditure were high hospital level,severity of hepatitis B,living in urban area,antiviral therapy,long hospitalization and monthly income of family.For average 3.74 outpatient visits and 1.51 hospitalization,the average annual direct,indirect and intangible expenditure for HB-related diseases were 30 135.30,6 253.80 and 44 729.90 yuan (RMB) [totally 81 119.00 yuan (RMB)],accounting for 37.3％,7.7％ and 55.0％,respectively.Of the annual direct medical expenditure [28 402.80 yuan (RMB)],which were much higher than non-medical expenditure [1 732.50 yuan (RMB)],hospitalization expenditure [26 074.20 yuan (RMB)] was higher than outpatient visit expenditure [4 061.10 yuan (RMB)].The annual indirect expenditures for outpatient visit and hospitalization were 763.60 and 5 490.10 yuan (RMB),respectively.Of the annual intangible expenditure,the highest was that for/primary hepatocellular carcinoma,followed by cirrhosis,chronic hepatitis B,severe hepatitis B,liver transplantation and acute hepatitis B.Conclusions A heavy economic burden has been caused by HB-related diseases in China,and patients are more likely to rely on medical service rather than non-medical service.It is necessary to take effective treatment measures to prevent the adverse outcome of HB related diseases and achieve significant economic benefits.The influence of HB related diseases on mental health of the people can be reflected by an economics term,intangible expenditure.

Background:Chronic constipation is a major cause of impaired quality of life in modern society. Reasonable and effective management of chronic constipation could be achieved based on the principle of evidence-based medicine and the modern concept of constipation,and this is a challenge facing the clinicians. Aims:To investigate the role of barium-based colonic transit detection in diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation. Methods:Fifty patients with chronic constipation from Apr. 2013 to Oct. 2014 at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups,control group and individualized treatment group. Patients in individualized treatment group received 20 barium markers orally and abdominal plain radiography was performed 48 and 72 hours later,respectively for calculating the colonic transit index. According to the type of colonic transition and the characteristics of colonic motility estimated by colonic transit index and clinical manifestations,an individualized therapeutic regimen was formulated and the efficacy was evaluated. Patients in control group were treated empirically according to the clinical manifestations. Results:Mosapride and lactulose or polyethylene glycol were administered orally in control group;when abdominal pain or abdominal distension was predominant,pinaverium bromide or trimebutine was used respectively instead of mosapride. Barium-based colonic transit detection revealed that 9 patients in individualized treatment group were slow transit constipation,6 were outlet obstructive constipation and 8 were the mixed type. After 2 weeks of empirical or individualized treatment,the defecation rates of the two groups were 24. 0%(6 / 25)and 52. 2%(12 / 23)within 24 hours and 64. 0%(16 / 25)and 87. 0%(20 / 23)within 48 hours,respectively(P all < 0. 05). Conclusions:Barium-based colonic transit detection is a simple,economical and practical modality for guiding the individualized treatment in patients with chronic constipation.

Objective:To evaluate the rationality of drug use in the children with rotavirus enteritis by the children drug utilization index ( cDUI) . Methods:A retrospective analysis was used to investigate the cDUI, DDDs and rationality of cimetidine, saccharomy-ces boulardiiand and ganciclovir used in 78 children with rotavirus enteritis. Results and Conclusion: The value order of DDDs was saccharomyces boulardii>cimetidine >ganciclovir. Moreover, the dosage of cimetidine and saccharomyces boulardii was relatively high, while that of ganciclovir was basically rational.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on anal function after intersphincteric resection (ISR) with low rectal cancer. Methods:A total of 103 patients were classified into the chemoradiotherapy (CRT) group and control group according to whether they received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Anal function was assessed using vectorial manometry, Saito function questionnaires, and Wexner incontinence scores. Results:The resting vector volume and squeezing vector volume of the CRT group were significantly lower than those of the control group prior to the operation. Both groups showed decreasing manometric re-sults after ISR. However, all indices of the CRT group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 months after operation, the Saito questionnaire results reveal poor function for the CRT group compared with the control group, except for dyschesia. After 24 months, the stool frequency, ability to distinguish between feces and flatus, fragmentation, and alimentary re-striction remained poor for the CRT group (P<0.05). Although both groups showed decreasing Wexner scores with time, the score of the CRT group remained significantly higher than that of the control up to 24 months after operation. Conclusion:Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy significantly affects the anal sphincter function for intersphincteric resection with low rectal cancer. This effect continues for at least 2 years after operation.