ProblemThe aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients and to determine whether intrauterine delivery of the combined administration of antibiotic and dexamethasone improves the clinical pregnancy outcome.Method of studyThe combination of hysteroscopy and histology was used to diagnose CE in the patients with RIF, and the diagnosed patients were treated with the intrauterine delivery of the combined antibiotic and dexamethasone therapy. The prevalence of CE in the RIF patients was recorded, and the therapeutic effect was also evaluated in the first IVF‐ET cycle.ResultsIn a total number of 298 patients with RIF, 109 cases (36.58%) were diagnosed as CE. Intrauterine infusion treatment resulted in CE resolution in 77.98% of patients. After the treatment, 85 cases with no signs of CE (Group 2) had a significantly higher implantation rate (31.33%) and clinical pregnancy rate (51.76%) as compared with both 126 cases without CE diagnosis (Group 1; 16.30% and 30.15%, respectively) and 24 cases with persistence of CE (Group 3; 14.89% and 25.00%, respectively). The live birth rate in the first IVF‐ET cycle following treatment in Group 2 was significantly higher than that of both Group 1 and Group 3 (all P < .05).ConclusionChronic endometritis is highly prevalent in patients with RIF. To the best of our knowledge, we for the first time reported that intrauterine delivery of the combined administration of antibiotic and dexamethasone as a treatment option of CE could achieve expected therapeutic effects and successful pregnancy outcomes.

CTSK, a cysteine protease involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, could be one of the determinants of adipocyte differentiation. CTSK may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity by promoting adipocyte differentiation.

Mutations in the tubulin beta 8 class VIII (TUBB8) gene have been proven to cause oocyte maturation arrest. The aim of this study was to describe newly discovered mutations in TUBB8 and to investigate the prevalence of TUBB8 mutations in our cohort. Nine women with oocyte maturation arrest and 100 fertile female controls were recruited. Sanger sequencing of the coding regions of TUBB8 revealed a heterozygous variant c.535G > A (p.V179M) in two unrelated affected individuals and a heterozygous variant c.5G > T (p.R2M) in one affected individual. These TUBB8 variants were inherited from the unaffected fathers and were absent in 100 fertile female control individuals. In total, 33.33% (3/9) of the affected individuals in our cohort obtained a clear genetic diagnosis through sequencing of the TUBB8 gene. These two novel variants extend the spectrum of TUBB8 mutations and this study confirmed that TUBB8 mutations occur in a high proportion of infertile women with oocyte maturation arrest.

Plant diseases result in 20–40% of agricultural loss every year worldwide. Timely detection of plant diseases can effectively prevent the development and spread of diseases and ensure the agricultural yield. High-throughput and rapid methods are in great demand. This review investigates the advanced application of Raman spectroscopy (RS) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the detection of plant diseases. The determination of bacterial diseases and stress-induced diseases, fungal diseases, viral diseases, pests in beans, and mycotoxins related to plant diseases using RS and SERS are discussed in detail. Then, biomarkers for RS and SERS detection are analyzed with regard to plant disease diagnosis. Finally, the advantages and challenges are further illustrated. Additionally, potential alternatives are proposed for the challenges. The review is expected to provide a reference and guidance for the use of RS and SERS in plant disease diagnostics.