Ultrasound-guided RFA might be a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative in the treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis. Advances in knowledge: This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided RFA for the treatment of adenomyosis to our knowledge. This is also the first study to provide various changes of intrauterine cavity after this treatment.
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 ()-735C/T and -1562C/T polymorphisms have been indicated in the predisposition to endometriosis. However, due to the small sample sizes of previous studies, the results remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was conducted to detect the association between the two genetic polymorphisms and the risk of endometriosis by pooling all the available data. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI, were searched comprehensively for studies examining a link between and polymorphisms and endometriosis. The strength of the association was assessed based on the pooled odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, which was calculated using either the fixed- or random-effect model. Following the inclusion criteria, 6 case-control studies were included. The total number of participants was 2,486 (558 cases and 797 controls concerning the-1562C/T polymorphism, and 525 cases and 606 controls concerning the -735C/T polymorphism). No significant association was identified between the-735C/T or -1562C/T polymorphism and endometriosis. In further stratified analysis, no significant association was identified between the-1562C/T polymorphism and endometriosis. The present meta-analysis revealed no association between the -735C/T and-1562C/T polymorphisms and the risk of developing endometriosis. Considering the limitations of the meta-analysis, well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required.
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PurposeEarly pregnancy loss (EPL) affects 50–70% pregnant women in first trimester. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying EPL are far from being fully understood. Therefore, we aim to identify the molecular signaling pathways relating to EPL.Experimental designWe performed proteomics and bioinformatics analysis of the placental villi in women who have undergone EPL and in normal pregnant women. The proteomics data were validated by Western blot analysis.ResultsWe identified a total of 5952 proteins in placental villi, of which 588 proteins were differentially expressed in the EPL women. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these differentially expressed proteins participated in a variety of signaling pathways, including the focal adhesion pathway and ribosome pathway. Moreover, results of the Western blot confirmed that Desmin, Lamin A/C, MMP‐9, and histone H4 were upregulated in EPL and the Lamin C/ Lamin A ratio decreased obviously in EPL. These proteins could be associated with the pathophysiology of EPL. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002391.Conclusion and clinical relevanceOur study demonstrated that the focal adhesion pathway and ribosome pathway are involved in EPL, and these findings might contribute to unveil the pathophysiology of EPL.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of transvaginal ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for the treatment of symptomatic uterine adenomyosis. Methods: Patients with symptomatic uterine adenomyosis treated with ultrasound-guided RFA in combined with an LNG-IUS from January 2013 to January 2016 and followed up for 3 years after treatment were selected. Assessment endpoints included the uterine volume reduction rate, dysmenorrheal score, symptom severity score and adverse events. Results: Among the 72 patients, 64 completed the 3-year follow-up evaluations after treatment. No LNG-IUS expulsion was reported. Dysmenorrhea and symptom severity scores statistically significantly declined after the combined treatment of RFA and LNG-IUS was administered. The uterine volume significantly decreased, and the average reduction rate was 55%. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided RFA combined with an LNG-IUS might be a simple, safe and effective alternative for the treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis.
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