The usefulness of peri-trigger female reproductive hormones (delta-FRH) in predicting oocyte maturation in normal ovarian reserve patients who received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of peri-trigger female reproductive hormones (FRHs) in the prediction of oocyte maturation in normal ovarian reserve patients during the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedure. Materials and Methods: A hospital database was used to extract data on IVF-ET cases from January 2020 to September 2021. The levels of female reproductive hormones, including estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), were initially evaluated at baseline, the day of the trigger, the day after the trigger, and the day of oocyte retrieval. The relative change in E2, LH, P, FSH between time point 1 (the day of trigger and baseline) and time point 2 (the day after the trigger and day on the trigger) was defined as E2_RoV1/2, LH_RoV1/2, P_RoV1/2, and FSH_RoV1/2, respectively. Univariable and multivariable regression were performed to screen the peri-trigger FRHs for the prediction of oocyte maturation. Results: A total of 118 patients were enrolled in our study. Univariable analysis revealed significant associations between E2_RoV1 and the rate of MII oocytes in the GnRH-agonist protocol group (p < 0.05), but not in the GnRH-antagonist protocol group. Conversely, P_RoV2 emerged as a potential predictor for the rate of MII oocytes in both protocol groups (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis confirmed the significance of P_RoV2 in predicting oocyte maturation rate in both groups (p < 0.05), while the association of E2_RoV1 was not significant in either group. However, within the subgroup of high P_RoV2 in the GnRH-agonist protocol group, association was not observed to be significant. The C-index was 0.83 (95% CI [0.73-0.92]) for the GnRH-agonist protocol group and 0.77 (95% CI [0.63-0.90]) for the GnRH-antagonist protocol group. The ROC curve analysis further supported the satisfactory performance of the models, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.79 for the GnRH-agonist protocol group and 0.81 for the GnRH-antagonist protocol group. Conclusions: P_RoV2 showed significant predictive value for oocyte maturation in both GnRH-agonist and GnRH-antagonist protocol groups, which enhances the understanding of evaluating oocyte maturation and inform individualized treatment protocols in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF-ET for normal ovarian reserve patients.

[Clinical observation of Jingu three-needle therapy combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on complex regional pain syndrome after stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Jingu three-needle therapy combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on complex regional pain syndrome typeⅠ(CRPS-Ⅰ) after stroke. METHODS: A total of 96 patients with CRPS-Ⅰ after stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 48 cases in each one. In the control group, based on the routine treatment, Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture was applied at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and other supplementary acupoints, once a day, 6 times a week for 3 weeks. Based on the treatment in the control group, Jingu three-needle therapy was added at coracoid process, greater tuberosity of humerus and infraglenoid tubercle, the muscular fascia was released by fan-shaped separation technique for 3-6 times, and the treatment was given once every 2 days, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hand swelling level, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) score and Barthel index score were observed to evaluate the pain and swelling severity, motor function and living ability of patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: ① Compared before treatment, the VAS score, hand swelling level, the FMA score and the Barthel index after treatment and 40 days after treatment were improved in both of the two groups (P<0.01). ② After treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.01), 40 days after treatment, the VAS and FMA scores in the observation group were superior to the control group (P<0.01). ③ There were no significant differences after treatment and 40 days after treatment of the hand swelling level and the Barthel index between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Jingu three-needle therapy combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture can improve the pain severity and the motor function of affected limbs in patients with CRPS-Ⅰ after stroke, and the therapeutic effect may be sustained for a long term. However, the treatment seems to be ineffectual on extremity swelling.