Objective: To establish a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and to directly observe the histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics of vaginal mucosal barrier after Candida albicans infection and treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus. Methods: Female unmated SD rats were used to establish the VVC model and divided into three groups (normal group, VVC group, and Lactobacillus group; n=6 per group). Lactobacillus group received intravaginal administration of Lactobacillus crispatus suspension, while rats in VVC group and normal group were infused with phosphate buffered solution instead. Vaginal tissues were collected on day 4 post-treatment for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (to observe ultrastructural pathological changes). Results: The results of HE staining revealed the disruption and desquamation of vaginal epithelium, necrotic epithelial tissues, neutrophil infiltration in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal structure (mucosal layers and thickness) to normal levels, mucosal layers of Lactobacillus group and normal group were 9.50±1.38 vs 10.67±1.03 (P=0.226), mucosal thickness of Lactobacillus group and normal group were (116.50±12.14) vs (130.33±13.91) μm (P=0.211). The results of transmission electron microscopy revealed intercellular desmosome rupture, loss of microvilli and glycocalyx on superficial cells, and mitochondrial swelling in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal ultrastructures (mitochondria and intercellular connections, etc.) to normal levels. Conclusions: Fungal infection severely disrupte the vaginal mucosal barrier in rats. Lactobacillus crispatus could restore the vaginal mucosal barrier and epithelial ultrastructures.
Objective: To investigate the dynamic characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) genomic integration during cervical lesion progression and the clinical value of HPV integration detection in stratify HPV-positive women, and to explore its molecular mechanisms in cervical carcinogenesis. Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed to enroll high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positive women who underwent cervical cancer screening in Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School and Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from July 2022 to July 2024. Cervical exfoliated cells samples were collected, and HPV whole genome targeted capture and high-throughput sequencing technology were used. The HPV integration patterns, host gene functional region distribution and pathway enrichment characteristics of 157 samples with different cervical lesions grades were analyzed, including 31 cases of normal cervix, 40 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ, 32 cases of CIN Ⅱ, 42 cases of CIN Ⅲ, and 12 cases of cervical cancer. Results: HR-HPV integration was detected in 80.2% (126/157) of the 157 HR-HPV positive samples. The incidence of HR-HPV integration in cervical cancer patients was 12/12, which was higher than that in normal women (77%, 24/31). The incidence of HPV16 integration was significantly higher in high-grade lesions, and the incidence of HPV16 integration was 43% (18/42) in CIN Ⅲ patients and 8/12 in cervical cancer patients (P<0.001). A total of 14 438 integration events were detected in 126 samples with HPV integration. The integration sites were mainly distributed in the host intergenic region (51.0%, 7 359/14 438) and intronic region (38.1%, 5 494/14 438), and the integration frequency of viral L1 gene was the highest (28.4%, 4 498/16 781). Functional enrichment analysis showed that HPV integration-related host genes were significantly enriched in transport of small molecules,cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway, and purine ribonucleotide biosynthetic process, which synergistically drove carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms. Conclusions: HPV integration events are significantly associated with the progression of cervical lesions. HPV integrated detection based on cervical exfoliated cells is expected to optimize the current screening strategy, reduce excessive intervention of HPV positive women and facilitate their accurate triage management.
Objective: To evaluate the histocompatibility and biomechanical properties of domestically produced abdominal wall segment polylactic acid absorbable microhook urethral sling in an animal model. Methods: Twenty four rabbits were divided into two groups: polylactic acid microhook sling group (n=12) and TVT ABBREVO sling group (n=12). Segments of the slings (abdominal wall portion and urethral portion) were implanted into the rabbit's abdominal wall and the vesicovaginal space, respectively. Specimens were harvested via euthanasia at postoperative 0 day (n=3 per group), 4 weeks (n=3 per group) and 12 weeks (n=6 per group) for simulated clinical fixation test, histomorphological observation (to evaluate histocompatibility), and biomechanical property analysis (tensile testing). Results: In the simulated clinical fixation test, the domestically produced abdominal wall segment polylactic acid absorbable microhook urethral sling maintained tight integration with the tissue without detachment across the range of abdominal pressure fluctuations associated with normal human activity (1-34 kPa); in contrast, TVT ABBREVO sling shifted and detached under pressure as low as 15 kPa. At 4 weeks post-implantation in the abdominal wall, none displacement occurred in polylactic acid microhook sling group (0/6 sites), whereas displacement occurred in 5 out of 6 in TVT ABBREVO sling group; at 12 weeks, displacement occurred in 4 out of 24 sites (17%) for polylactic acid microhook sling group, compared to 12 out of 24 sites (50%) for TVT ABBREVO sling group. These differences were statistically significant at both time points (both P<0.01). Tensile testing revealed that the sling of polylactic acid microhook sling group exhibited significantly lower thickness, tensile strength, and elongation percentage after implantation for 12 weeks compared to TVT ABBREVO sling group (all P<0.05). Histocompatibility: both sling types integrated well with host tissues after implantation subcutaneously in the abdominal wall and in the vesicovaginal space. Both induced a mild local inflammatory response. No pathological changes were observed in the surrounding tissues for either sling type, and there were no statistically significant differences in histopathological scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The domestically produced abdominal wall segment polylactic acid absorbable microhook urethral sling demonstrates favorable histocompatibility. The polylactic acid microhooks significantly enhance the sling's fixation to the tissue, effectively preventing early postoperative displacement caused by abrupt changes in abdominal pressure, and thus offer superior clinical applicability.
Objective: To investigate nationwidely the alert threshold for intraoperative bleeding intervention during dilation and curettage (D&C) for type Ⅱ cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) in the first trimester. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted. From March 11 to April 14, 2022, obstetricians and gynecologists affiliated with professional associations or institutions of Family Planning Subgroup, Chinese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese Medical Associaton were surveyed using "Expert Consultation Questionnaire on Alert Threshold for Intraoperative Blood Loss in CSP". The questionnaire was distributed via WeChat using the Questionnaire Star platform. Observation indicators included professional expertise of participants, preferred treatment modalities for type Ⅱ CSP, and an alert threshold for intraoperative bleeding during D&C. Results: A total of 361 valid questionnaires were collected. Among 361 participants, 73.7% (266/361) held the title of associate chief physician or higher, 61.2% (221/361) had ≥20 years of clinical experience, and 71.8% (178/248) worked in tertiary general hospitals. The most common treatment for type Ⅱ CSP was D&C following pretreatment with medication, uterine artery embolization (UAE), or high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), the percentage was 35.73% (129/361). 51.2% (185/361) of participants recommended an alert threshold of 100 ml for intraoperative bleeding during D&C. Cross-analysis revealed that participants managing <30 cases annually preferred ultrasound-guided D&C (32.0%, 56/175), those managing 30-99 cases or 100-199 cases per year favored pretreatment with medication, UAE or HIFU+D&C (39.0%, 55/141; 52.9%, 18/34), those managing ≥200 cases per year preferred hysteroscopic D&C (4/11). The most frequently selected alert threshold was 100 ml. In the subgroup analysis of participants with ≥100 cases annual admissions for CSP, 46.7% (21/45) of participants chose medication, UAE or HIFU pretreatment+D&C, while 53.3% (24/45) supported setting the alert threshold at 100 ml. Conclusions: The preferred treatment for type Ⅱ CSP is D&C following medication, UAE or HIFU pretreatment, with an intraoperative bleeding alert threshold of 100 ml. Timely alerts and proactive interventions could reduce injury severity, improve outcomes, and optimize CSP management strategies.
Objective: To compare pregnancy outcomes between patients undergoing combined hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) versus hysteroscopy alone prior to intrauterine insemination, and to evaluate the safety and clinical value of the combined procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 385 patients who underwent hysteroscopy at Peking University Third Hospital between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022, and subsequently received their first cycle of artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID) within six months. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the group receiving combined hysteroscopy with four-dimensional HyCoSy (hysteroscopy+4D-HyCoSy group) and the group receiving hysteroscopy alone (hysteroscopy group). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing pregnancy outcomes after AID. Results: Among the 385 patients included, 79 achieved clinical pregnancy. The clinical pregnancy rate (24.9%, 53/213) and live birth rate (21.1%, 45/213) in the hysteroscopy+4D-HyCoSy group were significantly higher than those in the hysteroscopy group [15.1% (26/172) and 12.8% (22/172), respectively; all P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in tubal patency between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the time interval from tubal patency assessment to intrauterine insemination was significantly longer in the hysteroscopy group compared to the hysteroscopy+4D-HyCoSy group (median: 4.0 vs 2.0 months; P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that double insemination significantly increased clinical pregnancy rate compared to single insemination (OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.02-5.72; P=0.044). An interval exceeding 6 months between tubal patency assessment and intrauterine insemination was identified as a risk factor for reduced clinical pregnancy (OR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.14-0.92; P=0.047). Additionally, neither the time interval from hysteroscopy to intrauterine insemination nor hysteroscopic findings and pathological diagnoses had significant effects on clinical pregnancy rates (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The combination of hysteroscopy and HyCoSy provides a safe and efficient approach for fertility assessment in infertile patients and improves clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in intrauterine insemination cycles. Hysteroscopy is recommended for patients with suspected endometrial or intrauterine abnormalities. If no previous tubal patency assessment has been performed or the last assessment was more than six months prior, combined hysteroscopy and HyCoSy may be considered to enhance the likelihood of clinical pregnancy.

