A nanocomposite competent to overcome cascade drug resistance in ovarian cancer via mitochondria dysfunction and NO gas synergistic therapy.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common and recurring malignancies in gynecology. Patients with relapsed OC always develop "cascade drug resistance" (CDR) under repeated chemotherapy, leading to subsequent failure of chemotherapy. To overcome this challenge, amphiphiles (P1) carrying a nitric oxide (NO) donor (Isosorbide 5-mononitrate, ISMN) and high-density disulfide are synthesized for encapsulating mitochondria-targeted tetravalent platinum prodrug (TPt) to construct a nanocomposite (INP@TPt). Mechanism studies indicated that INP@TPt significantly inhibited drug-resistant cells by increasing cellular uptake and mitochondrial accumulation of platinum, depleting glutathione, and preventing apoptosis escape through generating highly toxic peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-). To better replicate the microenvironmental and histological characteristics of the drug resistant primary tumor, an OC patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDXOC) model in BALB/c nude mice was established. INP@TPt showed the best therapeutic effects in the PDXOC model. The corresponding tumor tissues contained high ONOO- levels, which were attributed to the simultaneous release of O2•- and NO in tumor tissues. Taken together, INP@TPt-based systematic strategy showed considerable potential and satisfactory biocompatibility in overcoming platinum CDR, providing practical applications for ovarian therapy.

Rehabilitation programme including EMG-biofeedback- assisted pelvic floor muscle training for rectus diastasis after childbirth: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme on closure of the rectus diastasis (RD) and quality of life in women after delivery. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial with blinded assessment. SETTING: A tertiary hospital and participants' homes in Foshan, China. SUBJECTS: Sixty-six women with RD 2-6 months after delivery were recruited into this study (study group n = 33, control group n = 33). The mean age of participants was 29.9 [standard deviation (SD) 4.3] years. INTERVENTIONS: Each participant performed abdominal exercises. Patients in the study group received electromyographic-biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training (BAPFMT) in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the rectus abdominis, and patients in the control group underwent NMES of the rectus abdominis alone. MAIN OUTCOMES: The main study outcomes were inter-recti distance (IRD) and change in Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) scores 6 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: A significant decrease in IRD was observed in the study group at 6 weeks [study group 1.6 (SD 0.3) cm vs control group 2.0 (SD 0.3); mean difference - 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.59 to - 0.26]. Similarly, the physical component summary, an integral component of SF-36, showed a significant improvement in the study group compared with the control group at 6 weeks [study group 45.5 (SD 1.2) vs control group 41.2 (SD 2.6); mean difference 4.3, 95% CI 3.72-4.50]. CONCLUSION: A postpartum programme including BAPFMT for women with RD is feasible and improves the physical domain of quality of life. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.fimmu, No: RCT 02561078. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among women in Guangzhou, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. To date, there are limited studies that have investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among female population. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and it's related factors among women in Guangzhou, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed from 30th March 2020 to 13th April 2020 using anonymous online questionnaire among 864 women at 6-12 weeks postpartum. The Chinese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a questionnaire regarding associated factors were administered to all participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors that were significantly associated with PPD. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPD among women at 6-12 weeks postpartum was 30.0%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified significant factors as: immigrant women, persistent fever, poor social support, concerns about contracting COVID-19 and certain precautionary measures. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the need for policies and interventions to not only mitigate the psychological impacts but also target disadvantaged sub-groups of women following childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.