Objective:As the cesarean section rate increases year by year,the treatment of previous cesarean scar defects(PCSD)poses a significant challenge.This study aims to evaluate the clinical value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technology and analyze relevant influencing factors for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB)associated with cesarean scar defects who underwent laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for PCSD-related AUB at the Department of Gynecology,the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2018 to 2022.A total of 57 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of AUB associated with PCSD were divided into 2 groups based on their postoperative clinical cure status:The clinically-cured group(n=28,49.1%)and the non-clinically-cured group(n=29,50.9%).After a postoperative follow-up period of 3 months for all participants,logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the clinical cure rate of AUB associated with cesarean scar defects treated by laparoscopic surgery and various factors.These factors included patient age,clinical symptoms,obstetric history,history of cesarean section,basic clinical information,preoperative MRI parameters,and postoperative menstrual conditions.Results:There were no significant differences in many aspects,including the patient's age at the time of previous cesarean section,number of pregnancy,time since the previous cesarean section,the uterus position assessed by preoperative T2 signal MRI,defect length,defect width,residual muscle layer thickness,adjacent uterine muscle layer thickness,and distance from the defect to the external cervical os between the 2 groups(all P>0.05).However,the time of onset of AUB symptoms(P=0.036,OR=1.019,95%CI 1.002 to 1.038)and the depth of the defect on the preoperative MRI(P=0.010,OR=5.793,95%CI 1.635 to 25.210)were identified as risk factors affecting the clinical cure rate.Conclusion:The time of onset of AUB symptoms and the depth of the defect on preoperative MRI are risk factors that influence the clinical cure rate of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of AUB associated with PCSD,which could be helpful for evaluating the prognosis of disease.

Objective:Currently,traditional cervical cancer screening methods,such as high-risk human papillomavirus testing and liquid based cytology(LBC),still possess limitations.This study aims to identify new diagnostic biomarkers to achieve the goal of"precision screening"via exploring the clinical value of DNA methylation[ΔCtP:paired box gene 1(PAX1)and ΔCtJ:junctional adhesion molecule 3(JAM3)]detection in cervical exfoliated cells for the diagnosis of high-grade cervical lesions. Methods:A total of 136 patients who underwent gynecological examinations in the vaginal room of the Department of Gynecology at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively studied.Among them,122 patients had non-high-grade cervical lesions,and 14 patients had high-grade cervical lesions.The variables included general information(age,body mass index,and menopause status),LBC,high-risk human papillomavirus,cervical tissue pathology,vaginal examination results,and the ΔCt values of JAM3 and PAX1 gene methylation.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting the diagnosis of high-grade cervical lesions,followed by correlation analysis and construction of a conditional inference tree model. Results:Logistic regression analysis showed that the methylation ΔCt values of PAX1 and JAM3 genes and LBC detection results were statistically significant between the high-grade cervical lesions group and the non-high-grade cervical lesions group(all P<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between cervical pathological changes and ΔCtP(r=-0.36,P<0.001),ΔCtJ(r=-0.448,P<0.001),LBC(r=-0.305,P<0.001),or bacterial diversity(r=-0.183,P=0.037).The conditional inference tree showed that when ΔCtJ>10.13,all of patients had non-high-grade cervical lesions,while ΔCtP>6.22,the number of non-high-grade lesions accounted for 97.5%(117/120),and high-grade lesions accounted for only 2.5%(3/120).When ΔCtJ>8.61 and LBC were atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance or negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy(NILM),105(99.1%)patients were non-high-grade cervical lesions,only 1(0.9%)patient was high-grade lesion.When the results of LBC were high-grade lesions,only 9 patients'histopathological examination was the high-grade lesions and 3 non-high-grade lesions.When LBC indicated low-grade lesions,atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance,no intraepithelial lesions,and ΔCtP>6.22,117(97.5%)of patients'histopathological examination was the non-high-grade lesions. Conclusion:The JAM3/PAX1 gene methylation test can be used independently for the stratified diagnosis of high-grade/non-high-grade cervical lesions in women with high-risk human papillomavirus infection,independent of the cytological results of cervical excision.The JAM3/PAX1 gene methylation test can also be used in combination with LBC to make up for the shortcomings of low sensitivity of LBC.In addition,the application of methylation kit in large-scale cervical cancer screening in the future will be good to the detection of more patients with high-grade cervical lesions,and achieve early screening and early treatment for cervical lesions/cancer.

Objective:Uterine adhesion is mainly caused by endometrial injury,leading to poor postoperative pregnancy outcome.Therefore,preoperative evaluation on uterine cavity,especially endometrial condition,is very necessary.This study aims to explore the correlation between preoperative three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound(3D-TVS)imaging characteristics and postoperative pregnancy outcomes after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis(HA). Methods:A total of 401 patients,who underwent HA surgery from February 22,2018 to October 31,2018 at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University or Changsha Jiangwan Hospital,were enrolled,and we collected data regarding the preoperative 3D-TVS imaging characteristics and followed up their postoperative pregnancy outcomes.Correlation analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed between imaging features and pregnancy outcomes(live and non-live birth outcomes)in patients with intrauterine adhesion. Results:The results of correlation analysis showed that endometrial thickness,endometrial echo,visible tubal openings,endometrial blood flow,intercornual distance,and endometrial peristalsis were correlated with the live birth rate(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that in the HA patients with the live birth,the endometrial thickness was thicker(P<0.001),endometrial echo was more homogeneous(P<0.001),the number of tubal openings was more(P<0.001),the intercornual distance was wider(P<0.05),the endometrial blood flow,and irregular cases of endometrial peristaltic waves were more and cases of deficiency were fewer(both P<0.01)than those in the non-live birth group. Conclusion:Preoperative 3D-TVS imaging performance is closely related to pregnancy outcomes of HA patients,and preoperative 3D-TVS can be used to predict pregnancy outcomes after HA.

Objective:This work aims to explore the application value of cervical exfoliated cell DNA (Cysteine dioxygenase type 1, CDO1 and CUGBP Elav-like family member 4, CELF4) methylation in the detection of endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age. Methods:From November 2021 to October 2022, a prospective study was conducted on a total number of 517 reproductive-age women with abnormal uterine bleeding who had surgical indications for hysteroscopy at the Xiangya Third Hospital of Central South University. The cervical exfoliated cells were collected for cytology, HPV (human papillomavirus) and gene methylation detection before operation. Clinical information of patients, level of tumor-related biomarkers, and endometrial thickness of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) were also collected. Single factor regression method was used to analyze the high-risk factors of endometrial cancer. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to obtain the area under the curve(AUC), focusing on the screening efficacy of gene methylation test for endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age.Results:The age, body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m 2, endometrial thickness≥11 mm, CDO1 m ΔCt≤8.4, CELF4 m ΔCt≤8.8, and double gene methylation were associated with endometrial cancer in women of childbearing age, 1.16(1.08-1.25), 4.33(1.89-10.31), 9.49(3.88-26.69), 69.62(25.70-224.36), 23.64(9.66-63.99), 87.39(24.83-555.05), all P<0.05. The AUC was 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.97) of CDO1 m/ CELF4 m in diagnosing endometrial carcinoma was higher than others factors, with sensitivity and specificity of 91.7% (95% CI 80.6%-100%) and 88.8% (95% CI 86.0%-91.6%). TVS combined with DNA methylation detection further improved the sensitivity to 95.8% (95% CI 87.8%-100%), but could not improve the specificity 68.0% (95% CI 63.8%-72.1%). Conclusions:For women of childbearing age with abnormal uterine bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge, the accuracy of cervical cytology DNA methyl detection of endometrial cancer is better than other non-invasive clinical programs. DNA methylation combined with TVS can improve the sensitivity of detection.

OBJECTIVES: Placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) refers to a group of abnormalities in placental adhesion and invasion, which may lead to serious complications such as intractable postpartum hemorrhage. The use of low-level extra-abdominal aortic temporary block during cesarean section may reduce intraoperative bleeding in patients with PAS, but it may also cause ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, we intend to investigate the efficacy of low extra-abdominal aortic block in cesarean section for placental implantation disease and its effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and analyze the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by them. METHODS: Pregnant women with invasive placenta accreta spectrum disorders who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2017 to July 2021, were selected, and they were divided into 2 groups. Group A consisted of those who underwent low extra-abdominal aortic block during cesarean section (n=15) and group B consisted of those who did not undergo extra-abdominal aortic block (n=15). The intraoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, hysterectomy and complication rate, postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization expenses were compared between the 2 groups to analyze the efficacy of abdominal aortic block. The biochemical indexes related to ischemia-reperfusion, MDA content and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, were measured at the corresponding time points in both groups. The time points of each test were: in group A, before the block of the low extra-abdominal aorta after delivery (A0), 0 h (A1, when the myometrium was started to be sutured), 0.5 h (A2), 2 h (A3), and 4 h (A4) after the open block; in group B, after delivery of the fetus (B0), 0 h (B1), 0.5 h (B2), 2 h (B3), and 4 h (B4) after the myometrium was started to be sutured. Total duration of abdominal aortic block in group A was also recorded. Both groups were observed for sings of edema, ischemia, necrosis and infection in the limbs after surgery. The severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by abdominal aortic block were determined by detecting the relevant biochemical indexes at different moments of reperfusion. RESULTS: The intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion in group A were less than those in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Surgical complications: in group A, the uterus was preserved in all cases, there was 1 bladder injury and 2 pelvic infections; while in group B, there was 1 hysterectomy, 3 bladder injuries, and 3 pelvic infections. Changes in T-SOD and MDA values: compared with A0 before block, the MDA level was significantly elevated in blood at time points A1, A2, and A3, while SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the 2 observed indexes basically returned to A1 level (ischemic period) at 4 h after open block (A4). There was no significant difference in the changes of T-SOD and MDA in group B (P>0.05). Comparison of T-SOD and MDA levels between group A and B: the difference of the 2 indexes was not statistically significant between A0 and B0 (P>0.05), MDA level was not statistically significant between A1 and B1, T-SOD activity at A1 was lower than B1, the difference was statistically significant, at the rest of the same time point, MDA level in group A were higher than that in group B, T-SOD activity in group A were lower than that in group B, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). No postoperative limb edema, ischemia, necrosis, or infection occurred in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Low-level extra-abdominal aortic block effectively reduces bleeding and transfusion during cesarean section for placenta accreta spectrum disorders, resulting in a transient MDA elevation and a decrease of SOD activity, which means causing transient ischemia-reperfusion injury without complications such as limb edema, ischemia, necrosis, and infection.
Aorta, Abdominal/surgery* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Necrosis ; Pelvic Infection ; Placenta/metabolism* ; Placenta Accreta/surgery* ; Pregnancy ; Reperfusion Injury ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

The septate uterus is the most common structural uterine anomalies and it is associated with the poor reproductive outcome. It is believed to be the result of the failure in resorption of the tissue connecting the 2 paramesonephric ducts prior to the 20th embryonic week. The true prevalence of uterine septum is difficult to ascertain, as many uterine septal defects are asymptomatic. The septate uterus is usually diagnosed during an infertility evaluation and affects reproductive health by impairing fertility and increasing adverse pregnancy outcomes. The variations in uterine and cervical/vaginal anomalies collectively referred to as Müllerian anomalies. No consistent gold standard for the diagnosis of Müllerian anomalies exists. The preferred diagnostic method for Müllerian anomalies is two-dimensional ultrasound, other methods such as three-dimensional ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, hysterosalpingo contrast sonography, hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopy are also used to improve accuracy.
Female ; Humans ; Septate Uterus

Although there is insufficient evidence supporting the link between septate uterus and infertility, there are many studies demonstrated the effect of spetal incision on pregnancy in women diagnosed with septate uterus associated with infertility. Hysteroscopic metroplasty can significantly improve the reproductive performance of those with septate uterus. Some Müllerian malformations can be healed by surgery. The accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic approch are fundamental for successful treatment. Any attempt at surgical correction of uterine abnormalities must be aimed at preserving or improving reproductive function. Among congenital uterine anomalies, septate uterus is the most amenable to simple hysteroscopic treatment. The resection of the septum is performed as standard treatment worldwide.
Female ; Humans ; Septate Uterus

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is caused by damage of the basal layer of endometrium, which leads to fibrosis of the endometrium and the formation of adhesion, resulting in partial or complete occlusion of the uterine cavity, abnormal menstruation, infertility or recurrent miscarriage. The prevalence of IUA in women has been increasing in recent years, and the high recurrence rate of moderate to severe IUA makes IUA treatment more challenging. Iatrogenic endometrial injury is the main cause of IUA. However, the incidence of IUA and the severity of IUA vary among patients who have received similar uterine operations, suggesting that there may be other synergistic factors in the development of IUA. There is a certain correlation between the pathogenesis and the microbiota of the gential tract. In many IUA patients, it has been observed that the probiotics such as Lactobacillus in the vagina is significant reduced, and the pathogenic bacteria such as Gardnerella and Prevotella are excessive growth. The reproductive tract microbiota can be involved in the development and progression of IUA via impacting immune function and metabolism.
Humans ; Female

OBJECTIVES: The main treatment for intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is hysteroscopic adhesiolysis (HA), which most of treatment frequently employs estrogen and progesterone cycle therapy. The growth and coverage of endometrium after operation is a difficult problem, and several hospitals in China have performed growth hormone (GH) in empirically treating IUA, which has achieved excellent curative effects. Unfortunately, the mechanism of action has not yet been clearly elucidated. In previous study, an IUA animal model after surgical abortion and curettage in pregnant rats has been successfully established. In this experiment, the IUA animal model after surgical abortion and curettage in pregnant rats, which is more in line with the mechanism of human intrauterine adhesion, was used for the first time to investigate the therapeutic effect of GH on IUA in the pregnant rat curettage model. The expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), STAT5 and p-STAT5 content were detected by immunohistochemistry to preliminarily explore the possible mechanism of GH involving in promoting endometrial growth of IUA, and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication and treatment. METHODS: Pregnant rats were anesthetized, and the bilateral embryos were removed completely. Then the rat endometrium was scraped with a curette in 4 different directions (front, back, left, and right). After the IUA animal model was established, the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5): a control group, a GH group, and a GH + AG490 group. Normal saline (0.4 mL/100 g) was injected subcutaneously at the 7th day after curettage in the control group；0.15 U/100 g of GH was injected subcutaneously at the 7th day after curettage in the GH group; 0.15 U/100 g of GH was injected subcutaneously and 1 mg/100 g AG490 was injected intraperitoneally at the 7th day after curettage in the GH+ AG490 group. All the rats were injected continuously for 5 days. The rats in each group were sacrificed at the 14th day. The uterus of rats in each group was stained with HE staining to explore the endometrial morphology and the number of endometrial glands in each group, and Masson staining was utilized to observe the degree of endometrial fibrosis. The levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, STAT5 and p-STAT5 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: 1) The number of glands in the GH group was more than that in the control group on the 14th day, with statistical difference (P<0.05). However, the number of endometrial glands in the AG490+GH group was decreased compared with the GH group on the 14th day (P<0.05). 2) The fibrosis ratio in the GH group was less than that in the control group at the 14th day after operation (P<0.05). However, the area of endometrial interstitial fibrosis in the AG490+GH group was much higher than that in the GH group 14 days after operation (P<0.05). 3) Compared with the control group, there was not significant difference in the levels of STAT3 and STAT5 in GH group (both P>0.05), while the levels of protein p-STAT3 and p-STAT5 were increased in the GH group (both P<0.05). Compared with the GH group, there was not significant difference in the levels of STAT3 and STAT5 in the AG490+GH group (both P>0.05), while the levels of p-STAT3 and p-STAT5 were decreased in the AG490+GH group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS GH can not only promote the growth of endometrial glands in the IUA model, but also reduce the degree of fibrosis and play a role in the treatment of IUA, which may be related to the activation of the Janus kinase (JAK), JAK/STAT3 and STAT5 signaling pathways.
Animals ; Rats ; China ; Growth Hormone ; Endometrium/pathology* ; Tissue Adhesions/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVES: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis (HA) remains the mainstay on treatment for intrauterine adhesions (IUA). The fertility outcome of patients with moderate and severe intrauterine adhesions after HA is still far from satisfactory. Estrogen combined with progesterone is the most common treatment; however, they do not help in improving the fertility rate to the maximum because of the limitations. This retrospective, non-randomized controlled study will assess the effects of traditional Chinese medicine Yangmo decoction after HA in restoration of the endometrium and improvement of the fertility rate. METHODS: A total of 427 patients, who met the inclusion criteria, aged between 20 and 45 years and diagnosed with moderate or severe IUA underwent HA at the Third Xiangya Hospital from January to August 2021, were enrolled for this study. Participants were assigned into 2 groups: A Yangmo decoction group (n=213, patients were given Yangmo decoction consisting of Ginseng flower, Sanchi flower, Daidai flower, Snow lotus, Licorice and so on after HA), and an estrogen and progesterone group (n=214, patients were given estrogen and progesterone after HA). The following basic information was collected retrospectively for both groups, including age, parity, history of abortion, menstrual status, and times of hysteroscopic interventions. American Fertility Society (AFS) score was used by a senior surgeon and the density of opening of endometrial glands was evaluated during HA. The parameters were obtained from three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D-TVUS) preoperatively and postoperatively, to evaluate the efficacy of Yangmo decoction, estrogen, and progesterone. All patients were followed up on telephone to determine the fertility rate until 6 months from the last HA. RESULTS: Based on the basic information collected preoperatively, there were no significant differences between the groups (all P>0.05). Postoperatively, patients in the Yangmo decoction group had a better surgical success rate with a more significant AFS reduction (P<0.001), better density of opening of endometrial glands in the uterine cavity (P<0.000 1) after HA, and a better fertility rate (40.4%) in the time of 6 months after the last HA than those of the estrogen and progesterone group. CONCLUSIONS Yangmo decoction has better therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of intrauterine adhesion after HA than the combined effect of estrogen and progesterone. Yangmo decoction helps restore the endometrium and improve the fertility rate, therefore, it can be adopted as a routine practice for IUA patients who have fertility requirements.
Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Progesterone/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Estrogens/therapeutic use*