Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral misoprostol solution for cervical ripening in late gestation.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study including 396 primiparas with singleton pregnancy who received low-dose oral misoprostol solution for cervical ripening (oral group) in Peking University Third Hospital from March to October 2022. They were further allocated to receive oral misoprostol alone (OA group, n=167) or oral misoprostol in combination with oxytocin/amniotomy (OC group, n=229). Moreover, 218 cases who received vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening (vaginal group) during the same period in 2021 were reviewed (a retrospective cohort). Among them, 77 were given vaginal misoprostol alone (VA group) and 141 received vaginal misoprostol in combination with oxytocin/amniotomy (VC group). The OA group and VA group (72 and 73 cases) as well as the OC group and VC group (108 and 103 cases) were matched using propensity scores. Basic clinical information, hospital stay, duration of labor induction, uterine hyperstimulation, rate of labor initiation, vaginal delivery rate, rate of delivery within 24 h, duration of labor, neonatal condition, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other information were compared between different groups. All data were statistically analyzed using independent sample t test, analysis of variance, nonparametric test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact probability test. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the labor initiation and the failure of labor induction. Results:The average hospital stay, the duration from medication to labor initiation and the duration from medication to vaginal delivery were significantly shorter in the oral group than those in the vaginal group [(5.4±2.4) vs. (6.5±2.6) d, (34.2±24.1) vs. (38.9±25.7) h, (45.8±25.8) vs. (53.4±27.8) h; t=5.24, 2.10 and 3.39; all P<0.05]. The total labor initiation rate and vaginal delivery rate in the oral group were significantly higher than those in the vaginal group [92.9% (368/396) vs. 83.5% (182/218), 72.2% (286/396) vs. 60.1% (131/218); χ 2=13.43 and 9.50; both P<0.05]. The incidence of failed induction of labor, uterine hyperstimulation, fetal distress, and intrauterine infection in the oral group were lower than those in the vaginal group [2.0% (8/396) vs. 6.9% (15/218), 4.3% (17/396) vs. 17.9% (39/218), 8.8% (35/396) vs. 14.7% (32/218), 1.3% (5/396) vs. 3.7% (8/218); χ 2=9.21, 31.36, 4.93 and 3.93; all P<0.05]. The duration from medication to labor initiation and to vaginal delivery in the OA group were higher than those in the VA group [(25.8±17.0) vs. (17.4±10.8) h, (37.2±18.8) vs. (29.7±13.5) h; t=3.49 and 2.74; both P<0.05]. There were no significant differences in the labor initiation rate, vaginal delivery rate, rate of delivery within 24 h or the incidence of failed induction of labor between the OA and VA groups (all P>0.05). Women in the VA group were more likely to develop uterine hyperstimulation than those in the OA group [19.2% (14/73) vs. 4.2% (3/72), χ2=7.89, P=0.005]. There were no significant differences in the duration from medication to labor initiation or to vaginal delivery between the VC and OC groups (both P>0.05), but the duration were significantly longer than those in the corresponding medication alone group (VC vs. VA groups: (49.7±24.6) vs. (17.4±10.8) h and (61.6±25.7) vs. (29.7±13.5) h, t=5.31 and 5.13, both P<0.05; OC vs. OA groups: (45.3±26.6) vs. (25.8±17.0) h and (56.1±27.2) vs. (37.2±18.8) h, t=10.35 and 9.78, both P<0.05]. The labor initiation rate, vaginal delivery rate and rate of delivery within 24 h in the OC group were higher than those in the VC group [88.9% (96/108) vs. 77% (87/113), 63.0% (68/108) vs. 47.8% (54/113), 10.3% (7/108) vs. 0.0% (0/113); χ 2=5.49, 5.14 and 7.56; all P<0.05]. The incidence of uterine hyperstimulation in the OC group was 4.6% (5/108), which was lower than that in the VC group [18.6% (21/113), χ 2=10.37, P=0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that oral misoprostol and gestational age were positively correlated with labor initiation [ OR (95% CI): 2.18 (1.24-3.90) and 1.43 (1.14-1.79)], while maternal age was negatively correlated with labor initiation [ OR (95% CI): 0.90 (0.82-0.98)]. Moreover, failed induction of labor was negatively correlated with oral misoprostol [ OR (95% CI): 0.37 (0.14-0.91)], but positively correlated with maternal age [ OR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.05-1.40)]. Conclusions:Oral administration of low-dose misoprostol solution is as effective as vaginal misoprostol in promoting cervical ripening. Besides, it can shorten the average hospital stay and reduce the incidence of uterine hyperstimulation, suggesting that low-dose oral misoprostol solution is relatively safer and can be used to promote cervical ripening in late gestation.

The pathogenesis of brain injury in fetal growth restriction (FGR) fetuses is likely associated with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. This article mainly reviews the anatomical alterations, potential pathophysiological processes, and the specific molecular mechanisms involving various types of brain cells in FGR.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of fetal cardiac dysfunction in monochorionic diamniotic(MCDA)twin pregnancies,and establish a prediction model for their perinatal outcomes mainly based on ultra-sound indicators using information method.Methods:A total of 104 twin cases with ultrasound indicating fetal heart abnormalities were selected.Based on their chorionic and fetal heart abnormalities,they were divided into three groups:MCDA dysfunction group(61 cases),MCDA structural abnormalities group(23 cases),and dichori-onic diamniotic(DCDA)structural abnormalities group(20 cases).The clinical features of the three groups were analyzed and compared,and clinical outcomes were followed up until 3 years postpartum.A perinatal outcome prediction model for fetal cardiac dysfunction was established using the information method.All ultrasound abnor-mal indicators(7 categories)from the MCDA functional abnormality group,as well as 3 common clinical indicators,were included in the information model calculation.At the same time,the effectiveness of the model prediction was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and reserved cases(5 cases).Results:① Com-pared with the group with MCDA structural abnormalities,the group with MCDA functional abnormalities had a higher proportion of twin specific complications and a more severe staging.There was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the proportion of live and non-live birth among the three groups,as well as the differences between different live birth outcomes and non-live birth outcomes.However,follow-up found that the majority(22/24)of live births in the MCDA dysfunction group had their heart function returning to normal on their own.②The pre-diction results of the information model showed that the classification criteria for adverse perinatal outcome or risks(I)of fetal cardiac dysfunction were:when I>1.0,the risk of fetal death was high;when-1.0

Objective:To assess the current state of care for Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage(SPPH)in refer-ral centers and non-referral centers,and to propose enhanced strategies for the regional prevention and manage-ment of SPPH.Methods:The clinical data of patients with SPPH,defined as postpartum blood loss≥1500 ml or transfusion of blood products≥1000 ml,in two districts of Beijing from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospec-tively analyzed.A total of 201 cases of SPPH were included and they were divided into 125 cases in the referral center group and 76 cases in the non-referral center group based on whether they were city level referral centers.The clinical characteristics between these two groups were compared.Furthermore,a stratified analysis was con-ducted using a Logistic regression model to identify the risk factors associated with massive postpartum hemor-rhage,defined as postpartum hemorrhage≥4000 ml,transfusion requirements exceeding suspended red blood cells(RBC)>10 U and(or)plasma>1000 ml.Results:Analysis of cases presenting with SPPH between the two study groups showed that patients in the referral center group exhibited advanced maternal age,smaller gestation-al weeks at delivery and a higher proportion of high-risk factors compared to those in the non-referral center group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The primary cause of SPPH in the referral center group was placental factors,while uterine atony was identified as the main factor in the non-referral center group,and this difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Additionally,within the non-referral center group,there was a higher amount of blood loss during cesarean section,lower proportion of B-Lynch suture/vascular suture ligation,and higher proportion of uterine packing(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared to the referral center group,there were significantly higher incidences of plasma transfution volume,return to operating room for further inter-vention or exploratory laparotomy procedures after initial delivery and complications related to postpartum hemor-rhage observed in the non-referral center group(P<0.05).Moreover,it was noted that there were more cases of massive postpartum hemorrhagic disease reported in the non-referral center group than in the referral center group(P<0.05).In massive postpartum hemorrhage cases analyzed,referring centers had a higher percentage of patients presenting with multiple high-risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage during pregnancy when compared to non-referring centers(71.4%vs.33.3%,P<0.05).Placental factors accounted for majority causes leading to hemorrhage within referring centers(57.1%),whereas both uterine atony and placental factors played major roles within non-referring centers′cases(42.9%,28.6%).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that non-referral center delivery(aOR 3.47,95%CI 1.40-9.18)and a history of multiple intrauterine operations(aOR 12.63,95%CI 1.24-131.30)were identified as significant risk factors for massive postpartum hemor-rhage.Conclusions:The outcomes of high-risk pregnant women referral management in the region exhibit an im-provement,necessitating the reinforcement of training in non-referral midwifery institutions regarding identification of high-risk factors,surgical suture techniques,and comprehensive SPPH management to avert excessive bleed-ing and blood transfusion.

Objective:To analyze the changes in cardiac structure and function in women with different types of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and explore their influencing factors.Methods:A total of 1 967 pregnant women diagnosed with HDP who delivered at Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2014 to April 15, 2022 were included in the study. They were categorized into four groups based on specific HDP diagnoses: gestational hypertension (506 cases, 25.7%), pre-eclampsia (589 cases, 29.9%), pregnancy complicated with chronic hypertension (332 cases, 16.9%) and chronic hypertension with pre-eclampsia (540 cases, 27.5%). Differences in cardiac structure and function among four groups were retrospectively analyzed. Cardiac structure indicators included left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial area (LAA), right atrial area (RAA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), systolic function indicators included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lateral systolic mitral annular velocity (Sm), diastolic function indicators included peak early diastolic mitral in flow velocity (E)/peak late diastolic mitral in flow velocity (A), and E/peak early diastolic myocardial velocity of the lateral mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (Em). Influencing factors on cardiac structure and function were analyzed using generalized linear regression. Influencing factors were assessed by generalized linear regression.Results:(1) General clinical data: the differences in age, gestational week at delivery, blood pressure, proportion of diabetes, and length of hospital stay were statistically significant among four different HDP types (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with pregnant women with pregnancy complicated with chronic hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and gestational hypertension, those with chronic hypertension with pre-eclampsia had larger LAD, LAA, RAA and LVEDD (all P<0.001), thicker IVST and LVPWT (all P<0.001), and reduced left ventricular diastolic function (E/A, lateral Em, E/Em) and systolic function (lateral Sm; all P<0.001). Pregnant women with gestational hypertension had the least changes in cardiac structure and function. Compared with pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, those with pregnancy complicated with chronic hypertension had smaller RAA ( P<0.001) and lower E/A ( P<0.001), with no significant difference in other indicators (all P>0.05). (3) Chronic hypertension with pre-eclampsia, pregnancy complicated with chronic hypertension, and pre-eclampsia were associated with larger LAD, LAA, and LVEDD, and lower lateral Em (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Different types of HDP are associated with distinct changes in cardiac structure and function. Chronic hypertension with pre-eclampsia demonstrates the most pronounced alterations, followed by pre-eclampsia and pregnancy complicated with chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension showed the least changes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of prenatal dexamethasone on short-term outcomes and long-term neurological development in late preterm infants with twin pregnancy.Methods:A total of 315 pregnant women with twin pregnancy and their preterm infants who delivered in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data of pregnant women and preterm infants were collected. They were divided into non-medication group (93 pregnant women and 186 preterm infants), medication after 34 weeks group (123 pregnant women and 246 preterm infants), and medication before 34 weeks group (99 pregnant women and 198 preterm infants). Short-term outcomes of preterm infants were analyzed, including the incidence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), wet lung, hypoglycemia, neonatal septicemia, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). "Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Third Edition (ASQ-3) scale" was used to follow up the late neurological development of preterm infants at the corrected age of 6-54 months, and the level of neurological development was compared.Results:(1) General conditions: the gestational age at delivery in the non-medication group [36.1 weeks (35.6, 36.6 weeks)] was later than that in the medication after 34 weeks group [36.1 weeks (35.2, 36.4 weeks)] and medication before 34 weeks group [35.2 weeks (34.2, 36.2 weeks)] groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After correcting for gestational age, there was no significant difference in birth weight among the three groups ( H=3.808, P=0.149). There were no significant differences in gender and the proportion of small for gestational age among the three groups (all P>0.05). (2) Short-term outcome: the incidence of wet lung was 7.0% (13/186), 11.0% (27/246) and 16.2% (32/198) in the non-medication group, medication after 34 weeks group and medication before 34 weeks group, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.018). There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of NRDS, hypoglycemia, sepsis, IVH, BPD, and NEC among the three groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis with gestational age and newborn birth weight as confounding factors showed that early gestational age ( OR=0.884, 95% CI: 0.837-0.933, P<0.001) and increased incidence of selective intrauterine growth restriction type I ( OR=2.967, 95% CI: 1.153-7.639, P=0.024) could both lead to an increased incidence of wet lung. (3) Long-term outcomes: a total of 109 pregnant women completed the follow-up, and 218 preterm infants with a corrected age of 6-54 months at the end of follow-up were enrolled, including 86 cases in the non-medication group, 66 cases in the medication after 34 weeks group, and 66 cases in the medication before 34 weeks group. There were no significant differences in the scores of communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving and personal-social among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Prenatal administration of a single course of dexamethasone does not affect the neonatal birth weight and short-term outcomes of twin late preterm infants, and has no adverse effect on the neurological development of twin late preterm infants with a corrected age of 6-54 months.

Severe perineal tears include isolated rectal injuries such as rectal buttonhole tears and obstetric anal sphincter injuries that cause damage to the anal sphincter and anorectal region. Severe perineal tears can lead to a series of long-term complications, including chronic pain, fecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and rectovaginal fistulas, severely affecting the quality of life. The National Health Commission has listed "Reducing the Incidence of Complications from Vaginal Delivery" as one of the top ten national medical quality and safety improvement goals. This article discusses the hot issues surrounding severe perineal tears and proposes management recommendations suitable for China's national conditions. It aims to correctly prevent and treat severe perineal tears, reducing short- and long-term complications, based on the management goals of lowering the cesarean section rate and episiotomy rate.

Objective To explore the effect of FBXW7 on ferroptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Methods Head and neck squamous cell lines HN4 and HN6 were cultured in vitro.FBXW7 and SOX2 overexpression plasmids were constructed,and the plasmids were stably transfected into cell lines.The overexpression transfection efficiency was verified at the transcription level and protein level by qRT-PCR and Western blot experiments,respectively.The lipid peroxidation levels of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells with overexpressing FBXW7 were verified by measuring malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),and reactive ox-ygen species(ROS)levels.After treating cells with ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1,the changes in cell viability were further detected to ver-ify the effect of FBXW7 on ferroptosis.The effect of transfection of the overexpressed plasmid on cellular pathways was detected by Western blot.Results HN4 and HN6 cell lines showed increased levels of lipid peroxidation after overexpression of FBXW7,and the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 was able to effectively reverse the ferroptosis induced by overexpression of FBXW7.Western blot assay results showed that overexpression of FBXW7 reduced the expression of c-Myc,SOX2 and SLC7A11.Conclusion FBXW7 regulates the ex-pression of SOX2-SLC7A11 by degrading c-Myc,thereby effectively regulating ferroptosis in HNSCC.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of fetal cardiac dysfunction in monochorionic diamniotic(MCDA)twin pregnancies,and establish a prediction model for their perinatal outcomes mainly based on ultra-sound indicators using information method.Methods:A total of 104 twin cases with ultrasound indicating fetal heart abnormalities were selected.Based on their chorionic and fetal heart abnormalities,they were divided into three groups:MCDA dysfunction group(61 cases),MCDA structural abnormalities group(23 cases),and dichori-onic diamniotic(DCDA)structural abnormalities group(20 cases).The clinical features of the three groups were analyzed and compared,and clinical outcomes were followed up until 3 years postpartum.A perinatal outcome prediction model for fetal cardiac dysfunction was established using the information method.All ultrasound abnor-mal indicators(7 categories)from the MCDA functional abnormality group,as well as 3 common clinical indicators,were included in the information model calculation.At the same time,the effectiveness of the model prediction was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and reserved cases(5 cases).Results:① Com-pared with the group with MCDA structural abnormalities,the group with MCDA functional abnormalities had a higher proportion of twin specific complications and a more severe staging.There was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the proportion of live and non-live birth among the three groups,as well as the differences between different live birth outcomes and non-live birth outcomes.However,follow-up found that the majority(22/24)of live births in the MCDA dysfunction group had their heart function returning to normal on their own.②The pre-diction results of the information model showed that the classification criteria for adverse perinatal outcome or risks(I)of fetal cardiac dysfunction were:when I>1.0,the risk of fetal death was high;when-1.0

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of fetal cardiac dysfunction in monochorionic diamniotic(MCDA)twin pregnancies,and establish a prediction model for their perinatal outcomes mainly based on ultra-sound indicators using information method.Methods:A total of 104 twin cases with ultrasound indicating fetal heart abnormalities were selected.Based on their chorionic and fetal heart abnormalities,they were divided into three groups:MCDA dysfunction group(61 cases),MCDA structural abnormalities group(23 cases),and dichori-onic diamniotic(DCDA)structural abnormalities group(20 cases).The clinical features of the three groups were analyzed and compared,and clinical outcomes were followed up until 3 years postpartum.A perinatal outcome prediction model for fetal cardiac dysfunction was established using the information method.All ultrasound abnor-mal indicators(7 categories)from the MCDA functional abnormality group,as well as 3 common clinical indicators,were included in the information model calculation.At the same time,the effectiveness of the model prediction was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and reserved cases(5 cases).Results:① Com-pared with the group with MCDA structural abnormalities,the group with MCDA functional abnormalities had a higher proportion of twin specific complications and a more severe staging.There was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the proportion of live and non-live birth among the three groups,as well as the differences between different live birth outcomes and non-live birth outcomes.However,follow-up found that the majority(22/24)of live births in the MCDA dysfunction group had their heart function returning to normal on their own.②The pre-diction results of the information model showed that the classification criteria for adverse perinatal outcome or risks(I)of fetal cardiac dysfunction were:when I>1.0,the risk of fetal death was high;when-1.0