Objective:To investigate the pregnancy outcomes of different treatment methods for triplet pregnancies with different chorionicities.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 97 triplet pregnancies who visited and delivered at the Department of Obstetrics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 1, 2017, to November 30, 2023. The pregnancies were categorized based on chorionicity into monochorionic triamniotic (MCTA) ( n=24), dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) ( n=33), and trichorionic triamniotic (TCTA) ( n=40). They were further divided into expectant management group ( n=46), reduction to twins group ( n=40), and reduction to singleton group ( n=11) based on the treatment method. Pregnancy outcomes were compared among the groups. Statistical analysis were performed using t-test, corrected t-test, one-way analysis of variance and LSD test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, continuity correction Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Bonferroni correction. Results:(1) Comparison of pregnancy outcomes with different treatment methods for the same chorionicity: In MCTA, there were no statistically significant differences in gestational age at delivery, live birth rate before 37 weeks, live birth rate before 32 weeks, neonatal birth weight, and incidence of severe neonatal complications between the expectant management group and the reduction to monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) group (all P>0.05). In DCTA, compared to the reduction to singleton group, the expectant management group had lower gestational age at delivery [(31.8±2.7) vs. (37.9±1.3) weeks, U=－3.66] and neonatal birth weight [(1 604.3±422.6) vs. (2 997.1±598.9) g, U=－3.84] (both P<0.05), but higher live birth rate before 37 weeks (9/10 vs.1/8, Bonferroni correction, P<0.017). The expectant management group showed a trend towards higher rates of pregnancy complications (5/10 vs. 2/15 and 0/8) and severe neonatal complications [37.0% (10/27) vs. 10.7% (3/28) and 0/7] compared to the groups reduced to dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins and singletons. However, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.017). In TCTA, compared to the expectant management group, the reduction to DCDA group had a higher gestational age at delivery [(37.1±0.9) vs. (34.1±2.7) weeks, t'=－4.36], and increased neonatal birth weight [(2 647.5±377.8) vs. (1 902.5±459.9) g, t'=－6.98] (both P<0.05). The incidence of maternal pregnancy complications [3/15 vs. 54.2% (13/24)] and live birth rate before 37 weeks [3/15 vs. 66.7% (16/24)] were lower (Fisher's exact test, both P<0.05). (2) Comparison of pregnancy outcomes with different chorionicities for the same treatment method: In the expectant management group, the DCTA group had the lower neonatal birth weight compared to the MCTA and TCTA groups [(1 604.3±422.6) vs. (1 948.3±573.4) and (1 902.5±459.9) g, LSD test, both P<0.05]. In the fetal reduction group, the TCTA group had higher neonatal birth weight compared to the MCTA and DCTA groups [(2 657.6±373.3) vs. (2 000.8±443.3) and (2 078.8±799.9) g, U=－2.91 and U=－3.12] (both P<0.05). Conclusions:The appropriate treatment method for triplet pregnancies should be selected based on chorionicity. Expectant management is recommended for MCTA, fetal reduction is suggested for DCTA to improve pregnancy outcomes. For TCTA, the pregnant woman should be informed of the risks of preterm birth associated with expectant management, who should then decide whether to undergo fetal reduction.

Objective We aimed to observe the differences in the effects of different acupuncture technique on the endometrium of mice with simple endometrial hyperplasia model and to explore the potential mechanisms. Methods According to the random number tables,32 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into a blank control group,a model group,a quick needle group and a retaining needle group,with 8 mice in each group. A mouse model of simple endometrial hyperplasia was established using bilateral ovariectomy combined with estrogen loading. In the quick needle group,mice were punctured at the bilateral for "Yinbai"(SP1) points and withdrawn immediately,with the treatmeat performed once every other day for a total of 12 times. In the retaining needle group,mice were punctured at the bilateral "Yinbai"(SP1) points and the needles were retained for 15 min each time,with the treatment also performed once every other day for a total of 12 times. After the intervention,samples were collected. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes in the mouse uterine tissue;ELISA was used to detect serum estradiol level;flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of M1 and M2 macrophages(M1/M2) and immunohistochemical method was used to measure the expression of CD86 and CD206 in uterine tissue;and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in uterine tissue. Results The endometrium of mice in the model group showed simple hyperplasia. Compared with the blank control group,the endometrium of the model group was thickened (P<0.01);the level of estradiol in the serum was increased (P<0.01);M1/M2 in uterine tissues was decreased (P<0.01),the expression of CD86 was decreased (P<0.01),and the positive expression of CD206 was increased (P<0.01);and the level of IFN-γ protein expression in uterine tissues was decreased (P<0.01),and the expression of IL-13 protein was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the endometrial thicknesses of the quick needle group and the retaining needle group were reduced (P<0.05),the levels of estradiol in serum were reduced (P<0.05),M1/M2 in uterine tissues increased (P<0.01),and the reduction of CD206 positive expression,and IL-13 protein expression reduced (P<0.01);the level of CD86 positive expression,IFN-γ protein expression increased (P<0.01). Compared with the quick needle group,IL-13 protein expression increased in the retaining needle group (P<0.01).Conclusion Both quick needle and retaining needle may be through the regulation of the expression of IFN-γ and IL-13,thus prompting the polarization of macrophages from M2 to M1 type,inhibiting the pro-cell proliferative ability and tissue repair ability of M2 type macrophages,thus reducing the degree of endometrial hyperplasia,and the quick needle group was superior to the retaining needle group in regulating the expression of IL-13.

Objective To investigate the effect of body mass index(BMI)on the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN).Methods A total of 261 patients with IMN were divided into the normal group(66 cases),the overweight group(105 cases)and the obese group(90 cases)according to BMI.Clinical and renal pathological data of patients were compared between the three groups.The correlation between BMI and clinicopathological indexes was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman's correlation.The influencing factors of estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were analyzed by multiple linear regression,and the influencing factors of interstitial fibrosis(IF),tubular atrophy(TA),glomerulosclerosis(GS)and mesangial cell proliferation(MCP)were analyzed by binary Logistic regression.Results Compared with the normal group,the prevalence of diabetes mellitus,triglycerides(TG)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were elevated in the overweight group.The prevalence of hypertension,hemoglobin(HGB),uric acid(UA),LDL-C,TG,24-h urinary protein(UTP)and serum complement 3(C3)were elevated,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)was decreased in the obese group(P＜0.05).The prevalence of hypertension,UA,TG and serum C3 were elevated in the obese group compared to the overweight group(P＜0.05).The glomerular basement membrane(GBM)thickness was higher in the obese group and the overweight group than that in the normal group,and the proportion of GS and IF was higher in the obese group than that in the normal group(P＜0.05).BMI was positively correlated with hypertension,TG,LDL-C,serum C3,UTP,GS,IF,MCP and deposition in the mesangial region of C3,and negatively correlated with HDL-C(P＜0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody(anti-PLA2R),UTP and TA were independent risk factors of eGFR.Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated BMI,age,UTP and serum creatinine(Scr)were independent risk factors for IF.Age,Scr and elevated UA were independent risk factors for TA.Elevated BMI and decreased eGFR were independent risk factors for GS.Elevated BMI was an independent risk factor for MCP.There was no significant difference in the treatment protocol of IMN patients between the three groups.Conclusion Obesity can exacerbate multiple clinical and pathological outcomes in IMN patients.

Objective:To explore the application effect of interactive group management mode in puerpera with postpartum diastasis recti abdominis, and to provide reference for optimizing the health management of puerpera with rectus abdominis separation.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. Convenience sampling method was used to select 114 puerpera with postpartum diastasis recti abdominis who were treated in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Zhenjiang City from January to June 2022 as the research objects. According to the random number table method, the postpartum women were divided into an intervention group and a control group with 57 cases each. The intervention group received interactive group management for 12 weeks, while the control group received routine health guidance. Before and after the intervention, the two groups were evaluated by diastasis recti abdominis, rehabilitation knowledge-attitude-practice, general self-efficacy, and the duration of the first-level test results of the eight-level abdominal bridge.Results:The 55 cases were included in the final intervention group, while 56 cases were included in the control group. After intervention, the separation distance of rectus abdominis of the intervention group was (2.27 ± 0.47) cm, and that of the control group was (2.48 ± 0.39) cm. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 2.53, P<0.05). The knowledge-attitude-practice total score and each item score of diastasis recti abdominis rehabilitation in the intervention group were (106.84 ± 5.78), (61.53 ± 4.29), (25.42 ± 2.26), (19.89 ± 1.89) points respectively while in the control group were (73.77 ± 8.33), (38.48 ± 7.56), (20.73 ± 3.07), (13.55 ± 1.99) points. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t values were 9.16 -24.28, all P<0.01). The general self-efficacy score of the intervention group was (27.47 ± 3.16) points, and that of the control group was (26.05 ± 3.43) points. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 2.26, P<0.05). The first-level test time of eight-level abdominal bridge in the intervention group was (80.29 ± 11.50) s, which was significantly higher than (29.39 ± 6.09) s in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 29.20, P<0.01). The completion rate of exercise in the intervention group was (90.20 ± 1.83)%. Higher than (69.52 ± 8.04)% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( t = 13.73, P<0.01). Conclusions:Interactive group management can significantly ameliorate the separation distance of diastasis recti abdominis, increase the level of knowledge-attitude-practice of diastasis recti abdominis rehabilitation and the compliance of rehabilitation exercise, improve the self-efficacy, prolong the first-level test time of eight-level abdominal bridge, and improve the abdominal core muscle strength for puerpera.

With the advances in fetal medicine, there will be more cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) diagnosed in the fetal period. However, there is no consensus on the management protocol. We present a successful case of conservatively managed fetal goitrous hypothyroidism due to compound heterozygous TG mutations. Goiter was observed in a fetus at 23 weeks of gestation. Because there was no evidence of transplacental passage of antithyroid antibody and drugs, iodine overload, and iodine deficiency, the fetus was highly suspected to have CH. Considering the potential risks of amniocentesis/cordocentesis, and lack of available parenteral levothyroxine in China, the fetus was closely monitored thereafter. A male neonate was delivered vaginally without complications at 39 weeks of gestation. We verified severe hypothyroidism in the infant and immediately initiated levothyroxine therapy. His growth and mental development were normal at the age of 8 month. Whole-exome sequencing showed that the neonate had two compound heterozygous mutations in the TG gene. We also performed a literature review of the prognosis of postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations and the result showed that postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations has a favorable prognosis. However, further prospective studies are warranted to verify this conclusion.

With the advances in fetal medicine, there will be more cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) diagnosed in the fetal period. However, there is no consensus on the management protocol. We present a successful case of conservatively managed fetal goitrous hypothyroidism due to compound heterozygous TG mutations. Goiter was observed in a fetus at 23 weeks of gestation. Because there was no evidence of transplacental passage of antithyroid antibody and drugs, iodine overload, and iodine deficiency, the fetus was highly suspected to have CH. Considering the potential risks of amniocentesis/cordocentesis, and lack of available parenteral levothyroxine in China, the fetus was closely monitored thereafter. A male neonate was delivered vaginally without complications at 39 weeks of gestation. We verified severe hypothyroidism in the infant and immediately initiated levothyroxine therapy. His growth and mental development were normal at the age of 8 month. Whole-exome sequencing showed that the neonate had two compound heterozygous mutations in the TG gene. We also performed a literature review of the prognosis of postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations and the result showed that postnatal treatment of CH due to TG mutations has a favorable prognosis. However, further prospective studies are warranted to verify this conclusion.

Objective:To investigate the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with cesarean scar diverticulum (CSD) and to find the relevant factors that predict the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:From January 2015 to March 2019, 501 singleton pregnant women with a history of cesarean section who underwent regular prenatal examination in early pregnancy and eventually delivered in Peking University First Hospital were prospectively collected. According to the presence or absence of CSD in the first trimester of pregnancy, the pregnant women were divided into the CSD group ( n=127, 25.3%) and the non-CSD group ( n=374, 74.7%). According to the mode of delivery and the classification of the lower uterine segment seen during cesarean section, the CSD group was further divided into the non-rupture group (including spontaneous delivery and lower uterine segment grade Ⅰ; n=108, 85.0%) and rupture group (including lower uterine segment grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ; n=19, 15.0%). The general clinical data, pregnancy outcomes, diverticulum-related indexes [including length, width, depth (D), average diameter, volume, and residual myometrial thickness (RMT)] were compared. The predictive values of D/adjacent myometrial thickness≥50%, RMT≤2.2 mm and D/RMT>1.3 for uterine rupture in CSD pregnant women were verified. Results:(1) Comparison between CSD group and non-CSD group: the lower uterine segment thickness in the third trimester of pregnancy in the CSD group was lower than that in the non-CSD group [(1.2±0.5) vs (1.4±0.6) mm, respectively], and the incidence of uterine rupture was higher than that in the non-CSD group [15.0% (19/127) vs 8.0% (30/374), respectively], and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other clinical data and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Comparison of rupture group and non-rupture group: the lower uterine segment thickness in the third trimester of pregnancy in rupture group [(0.6±0.5) mm] was lower than that in non-rupture group [(1.2±0.6) mm], and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.486, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in diverticulum-related indexes between the two groups (all P>0.05). (3) Relationship between high risk predictors of uterine rupture and actual uterine rupture: the sensitivity of D/adjacent muscle thickness ≥50%, RMT≤2.2 mm and D/RMT>1.3 in predicting the high risk of uterine rupture were 94.7%, 57.9% and 73.6%, the specificity were 12.0%, 40.7% and 24.1%, the positive predictive value were 15.9%, 14.7%, 14.6%, and the negative predictive value were 92.8%, 84.6%, 83.9%, respectively. Conclusions:The risk of uterine rupture in pregnant women with CSD is higher than that in those without CSD. There is no significant correlation between CSD related indexes and uterine rupture in the first trimester. Monitoring the lower uterine segment thickness in the third trimester might be helpful to predict the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length (CL) in the first and second trimester on spontaneous preterm birth in singleton pregnant women.Methods:This study retrospectively recruited 2 254 singleton pregnancies without severe comorbidities at Peking University First Hospital from January 2019 to June 2019. CL was measured for all subjects using transvaginal ultrasound in the first (11-13 +6 weeks) and second trimester (21-23 +6 weeks). Differences in CL between women with preterm (preterm group) and full-term delivery (full-term group) as well as the CL during the first and second trimester were compared. The independent risk factors for preterm birth and the predictive value of CL in the first and second trimester for spontaneous preterm birth were also explored. Fisher's exact test, t-test, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis, etc, were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) For the 2 254 subjects, CL measured in the first trimester and second trimester were (36.1±4.2) mm (22.4-52.6 mm) and (36.9±5.3) mm (2.9-59.7 mm), respectively. The incidence of short cervix in the first trimester and second trimester were 0.31% (7/2 254) and 1.46% (33/2 254), respectively. When CL was ≤25.0 mm ( OR=43.92, 95% CI:6.83-282.49) or >25.0-≤30.3 mm ( OR=6.59, 95% CI:1.97-22.0) in the first trimester, the risk of short cervix increased in the second trimester (both P<0.05). (2) The total incidence of preterm delivery was 3.06% (69/2 254). CL and the incidence of short cervix did not differ significantly in the first trimester between the preterm and full-term group [(35.2±4.5) and (36.1±4.1) mm, t=－1.78, P=0.076; 1.5% (1/69) and 0.3% (6/2 185), χ 2=2.98, P=0.084]. Compared with the full-term group, CL was shorter and the incidence of short cervix was higher in the second trimester in the preterm group [(33.6±6.7) vs (37.0±5.2) mm, t=－5.12;8.7% (6/69) vs 1.2% (27/2 185), χ 2=25.80, P<0.001]. (3) Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥35 years ( OR=2.05, 95% CI:1.22-3.46), history of spontaneous preterm birth ( OR=25.25, 95% CI:5.01-127.28), conception assisted by reproductive technology ( OR=10.39, 95% CI:2.39-50.33), and short cervix during the second trimester were independent risk factors for premature delivery. (4) There was no significant difference in the risk of preterm delivery when comparing to those with CL≤25.0 mm, >25.0-≤30.3 mm, >30.3-≤33.0 mm, >33.0-≤35.7 mm, >35.7-≤38.7 mm women with CL>38.7 mm during the first trimester (all P>0.05). The risk of premature delivery was relatively increased for those with CL≤25.0 mm,>25.0-≤29.5 mm, >29.5-≤33.6 mm, >33.6~≤36.8 mm, >36.8~≤40.1 mm during the second trimester compared to those with CL>40.1 mm [ OR (95% CI):17.64 (4.99-62.32), 6.89 (2.11-22.55), 3.58 (1.34-9.59), 4.04 (1.58-10.32), 3.34 (1.28-8.67), respectively , all P<0.05]. (5) When CL≤25.0 mm and ≤29.5 mm in the second trimester were used as the cut-off value, the prediction of preterm delivery was with a sensitivity of 8.70% and 17.39%, specificity of 98.80% and 95.29%, positive predictive value of 18.20% and 10.43%, negative predictive value of 97.16% and 97.34%, and the accuracy rate of 96.01% and 92.90%, respectively. Conclusions:There were no significant differences in CL and the incidence of short cervix during the first trimester among women with preterm or full-term delivery. CL in the first trimester is not an independent risk factor for preterm birth, but the risk of short cervix in the second trimester is increased when CL≤30.3 mm in the first trimester. The shorter the cervix during the second trimester, the greater the risk of preterm birth.

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis, clinical outcomes and factors influencing the prognosis of fetal periventricular pseudocysts (PVPC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the results of fetal neurosonography (NSG), cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), chromosome karyotype and neonatal cranial ultrasound of 76 PVPC cases detected by prenatal ultrasound in Peking University First Hospital from May 2014 to October 2018. The accuracy of NSG and cranial MRI in PVPC diagnosis was assessed. Prognosis of PVPC and the influencing factors were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results: (1) This study involved 51 cases (67.1%) of isolated PVPC and 25 cases (32.9%) of non-isolated PVPC. Among the 25 non-isolated PVPC cases, 15 were complicated by one abnormality and 10 by multiple abnormalities. There were 20 cases with intracranial abnormalities, two with extracranial abnormalities, and three with both intracranial and extracranial abnormalities. (2) Eight out of the 76 pregnancies (10.5%) were terminated and among them, two were isolated PVPC cases, five complicated by determined abnormalities (one case of PVPC complicated with pachygyria and bilateral mild fetal ventriculomegaly, one case of PVPC complicated with pachygyria or agyria and agenesis of corpus callosum, one case of PVPC complicated with arachnoid cyst and vermis dysplasia, one case of PVPC complicated with cortical dysplasia, one case of PVPC complicated with intestinal dilatation) and one by abnormalities of undertermined prognosis (PVPC combined with mild fetal ventriculomegaly and polyhydramnios). A total of 61 neonates (80.3%, 61/76) were born alive and followed up. Seven cases (9.2%, 7/76) were lost to follow-up. (3) As of February 2019, among the 61 followed-up infants, 44 with isolated PVPC and 15 with unclear abnormalities developed well. The other two with determined intracranial abnormalities were diagnosed as having cystic lesions in the brain parenchyma. One of them died of respiratory failure two days after birth and the other suffered from chromosomal disease (13.23 Mb deletion in region q24.3q31.2 of chromosome 2) with mental retardation and delayed growth and development. (4) A total of 44 (57.9%, 44/76) neonates received cranial ultrasound after birth and confirmed the diagnosis of PVPC, among which 11 (25.0%, 11/44) were missed or misdiagnosed in prenatal MRI. Conclusions PVPC may have many comorbidities, particularly intracranial abnormalities, which are closely related to the prognosis. A thorough prenatal ultrasound examination is necessary for fetal PVPC, especially NSG. Isolated PVPC usually has a good outcome. However, PVPC complicated by cystic lesions in the brain parenchyma may be associated with chromosomal abnormalities, hence fetal chromosome examination is required.

Objective To investigate the effect of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on plasma lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2) levels, vascular endothelial diastolic function in patients with unstable angina. Methods One hundred patients with unstable angina treated in our hospital were randomly divided into routine treatment group (control group n-49) and external counterpulsation group (observation group n = 51, routine treatment plus external counterpulsation therapy, 60 min/time, a total of 30 times). All selected subjects were tested for LP-PLA2 levels on the day of enrollment and on the 30 th day after treatment, and color Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect arterial blood flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD). Results After treatment in the observation group, LP-PLA2 decreased compared with before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) , but FMD, NMD were higher than those before treatment, which had statistical difference (P < 0.05). In control group treatment afterwards, LP-PLA2, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and non-endothelium-dependent vasodilatation did not change significantly before treatment (P> 0.05). Observations between groups showed that the increase in FMD and NMD in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group. P < 0.01) , plasma LP-PLA2 levels in the observation group also decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Enhanced external counterpulsation can reduce the level of LP-PLA2 in patients and improve endothelial diastolic function under the action of blood flow shear stress.