Gd(III)-Catalyzed Regio-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective [4 + 2] Photocycloaddition of Naphthalene Derivatives.

Catalytic asymmetric dearomatization (CADA) reactions have evolved into an efficient strategy for accessing chiral polycyclic and spirocyclic scaffolds from readily available planar aromatics. Despite the significant developments, the CADA reaction of naphthalenes remains underdeveloped. Herein, we report a Gd(III)-catalyzed asymmetric dearomatization reaction of naphthalene with a chiral PyBox ligand via visible-light-enabled [4 + 2] cycloaddition. This reaction features application of a chiral Gd/PyBox complex, which regulates the reactivity and selectivity simultaneously, in excited-state catalysis. A wide range of functional groups is compatible with this protocol, giving the highly enantioenriched bridged polycycles in excellent yields (up to 96%) and selectivity (up to >20:1 chemoselectivity, >20:1 dr, >99% ee). The synthetic utility is demonstrated by a 2 mmol scale reaction, removal of directing group, and diversifications of products. Preliminary mechanistic experiments are performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism.

Ethylene-induced stomatal closure is mediated via MKK1/3-MPK3/6 cascade to EIN2 and EIN3.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) play essential roles in guard cell signaling, but whether MPK cascades participate in guard cell ethylene signaling and interact with hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), nitric oxide (NO), and ethylene-signaling components remain unclear. Here, we report that ethylene activated MPK3 and MPK6 in the leaves of wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana as well as ethylene insensitive2 (ein2), ein3, nitrate reductase1 (nia1), and nia2 mutants, but this effect was impaired in ethylene response1 (etr1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase AtrbohF, mpk kinase1 (mkk1), and mkk3 mutants. By contrast, the constitutive triple response1 (ctr1) mutant had constitutively active MPK3 and MPK6. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and pull-down assays indicated that MPK3 and MPK6 physically interacted with MKK1, MKK3, and the C-terminal region of EIN2 (EIN2 CEND). mkk1, mkk3, mpk3, and mpk6 mutants had typical levels of ethylene-induced H2 O2 generation but impaired ethylene-induced EIN2 CEND cleavage and nuclear translocation, EIN3 protein accumulation, NO production in guard cells, and stomatal closure. These results show that the MKK1/3-MPK3/6 cascade mediates ethylene-induced stomatal closure by functioning downstream of ETR1, CTR1, and H2 O2 to interact with EIN2, thereby promoting EIN3 accumulation and EIN3-dependent NO production in guard cells.

Combined Treatment with Autologous CIK Cells, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Advanced Cervical Cancer.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of autologous cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells transfusion combined with radiochemotherapy in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer. A total of 89 hospitalized patients with advanced cervical cancer were admitted and divided into the treatment group (44 cases, autologous CIK cells transfusion combined with radiochemotherapy) and the control group (45 cases, radiochemotherapy) by a randomized non-blind method. Comparisons of therapeutic efficacies, immune functions, life qualities and survival rates were analyzed between the two groups. The short-term therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in 1, 2 and 3 year survival rates between the two groups. Compared with pre-treatment, levels of CD3+, CD4+/CD8+ in peripheral blood were increased in the CIK group, which were reduced in the control group. In the CIK group,only the feeling was depressed on the 25th day post-treatment (T25) compared with the day before treatment (B1). However in the control group, the function of body, role, social and holistic health was obvious disordered on day T25 compared with day B1. On day T25, there were significant differences in function of body, social and holistic health between two groups. Autologous CIK cells transfusion combined with radiochemotherapy shows better short-term efficacy than radiochemotherapy alone in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer, which obviously improves immune function and life quality of patients with low side effects.

Acetylome of Acinetobacter baumannii SK17 Reveals a Highly-Conserved Modification of Histone-Like Protein HU.

Lysine acetylation is a prevalent post-translational modification in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Whereas this modification is known to play pivotal roles in eukaryotes, the function and extent of this modification in prokaryotic cells remain largely unexplored. Here we report the acetylome of a pair of antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii SK17-S and SK17-R. A total of 145 lysine acetylation sites on 125 proteins was identified, and there are 23 acetylated proteins found in both strains, including histone-like protein HU which was found to be acetylated at Lys13. HU is a dimeric DNA-binding protein critical for maintaining chromosomal architecture and other DNA-dependent functions. To analyze the effects of site-specific acetylation, homogenously Lys13-acetylated HU protein, HU(K13ac) was prepared by genetic code expansion. Whilst not exerting an obvious effect on the oligomeric state, Lys13 acetylation alters both the thermal stability and DNA binding kinetics of HU. Accordingly, this modification likely destabilizes the chromosome structure and regulates bacterial gene transcription. This work indicates that acetyllysine plays an important role in bacterial epigenetics.

Decreased Mean Platelet Volume is Associated with Cervical Cancer Development

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological malignant disorder worldwide. Activated platelets play a key role in cancer development and progression. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an early indicator of platelet activation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate MPV levels in patients with cervical cancer. Materials and methods: A total of 181 patients with cervical cancer and 181 controls between January 2015 and June 2015 were included in the study. Patient characteristics and hematologic test data at initial diagnosis were collected and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of cervical cancer were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analyses across MPV quartiles. Results: MPV levels were decreased in patients with cervical cancer compared with control subjects. A significant correlation between MPV and FIGO stage was found. Moreover, after adjusting for other risk factors, the ORs (95%CIs) for cervical cancer according to MPV quartiles were 4.450 (1.975-10.026), 2.505 (1.206-5.202), 0.573 (0.261-1.259), and 1.000, respectively. Conclusions: MPV was found to be independently associated with the presence of cervical cancer. Our results suggest that MPV could be potential diagnostic screening tool.

Melanocortin neurons: Multiple routes to regulation of metabolism.

The burden of disability, premature death, escalating health care costs and lost economic productivity due to obesity and its associated complications including hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is staggering [1,2]. A better understanding of metabolic homeostatic pathways will provide us with insights into the biological mechanisms of obesity and how to fundamentally address this epidemic [3-6]. In mammals, energy balance is maintained via a homeostatic system involving both peripheral and central melanocortin systems; changes in body weight reflect an unbalance of the energetic state [7-9]. Although the primary cause of obesity is unknown, there is significant effort to understand the role of the central melanocortin pathway in the brain as it has been shown that deficiency of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) [10,11] and melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) [12-15] in both rodents and humans results in severe hyperphagia and obesity [16-23]. In this review, we will summarize how the central melanocortin pathway helps regulate body mass and adiposity within a 'healthy' range through the 'nutrient sensing' network [24-28]. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Melanocortin Receptors - edited by Ya-Xiong Tao.

Risk Factors for Mesh Exposure after Transvaginal Mesh Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mesh exposure after surgery continues to be a clinical challenge for urogynecological surgeons. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors for polypropylene (PP) mesh exposure after transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery. METHODS: This study included 195 patients with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP), who underwent TVM from January 2004 to December 2012 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Clinical data were evaluated including patient's demography, TVM type, concomitant procedures, operation time, blood loss, postoperative morbidity, and mesh exposure. Mesh exposure was identified through postoperative vaginal examination. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors for mesh exposure. RESULTS: Two-hundred and nine transvaginal PP meshes were placed, including 194 in the anterior wall and 15 in the posterior wall. Concomitant tension-free vaginal tape was performed in 61 cases. The mean follow-up time was 35.1 ± 23.6 months. PP mesh exposure was identified in 32 cases (16.4%), with 31 in the anterior wall and 1 in the posterior wall. Significant difference was found in operating time and concomitant procedures between exposed and nonexposed groups (F = 7.443, P = 0.007; F = 4.307, P = 0.039, respectively). Binary logistic regression revealed that the number of concomitant procedures and operation time were risk factors for mesh exposure (P = 0.001, P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Concomitant procedures and increased operating time increase the risk for postoperative mesh exposure in patients undergoing TVM surgery for POP.

[Study on the Micro-FTIR Spectra of the Euhedral Faceted Polycrystalline Diamonds (EFPCDs) from Western Yangtze Craton and Its Geological Significance].

The results of Micro-FTIR spectra analysis of the euhedral faceted polycrystalline diamonds (EFPCDs) from the Western Yangtze Craton show that the EFPCDs are mostly IaAB type, the concentration of nitrogen.varies greatly from 25. 70- 358.35 µg x g(-1). Different nitrogen content distributes in different diamond grains or position in same sample. The C Center was not found in the samples and the conversion from A center to B center is incomplete, in the meanwhile, B% value concentrated in 40%. Thus, polycrystalline diamonds are not formed in the stage of nucleation but gathered together after formation of the individual diamond grains during the residence time in the mantle. And its formation environment is. more complex than the euhedral faceted polycrystalline diamonds from Mengyin kimberlite, the Eastern of North China Craton. The diamonds extremely possibly originated in the deep mantle from 160 to 180 km, reaching the depth of the core of the Yangtze Craton, at the same time it is close to the bottom of the lithosphere. The C-H bond of sp2 hybridization are conducive to the formation of platelets in diamonds. Meanwhile, its concentrations are generally higher than the C-H bond of sp3 hybridization in the samples.

[Long-term outcomes of the high vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension in treatment of the severe pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term objective and subjective outcomes of the transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension(HUS) in treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP) . METHODS: From Jun. 2003 to Mar.2013, 136 patients with severe POP quantitation (POP-Q) stage III-IV underwent transvaginal hysterectomy and HUS operation in the First Affiliated Hospital, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. And 125 patients (91.9%, 125/136) were followed up at a mean of 5.4 years (range of 4.2-9.2 years) . Anterior colporrhaphy (79.2%, 99/125), posterior colporrhaphy (64.0%, 80/125), the perineorrhaphy (96.0%, 120/125) and tension-free suburethral slings (37.6%, 47/125) were performed concurrently, in which 53 (65%, 53/81) patients with severe cystocele and 5 patients (15%, 5/34) with rectocele were augmented with mesh, respectively. Concurrent operation and complications were studied. The objective success of the operation was defined as the leading vaginal edge above hymen.Subjective results were obtained quality-of-life questionnaires, including pelvic floor distress inventory short form (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form (PFIQ-7). RESULT: The mean interval of following up was (5.4 ± 1.2) years.Four patients presented mild anterior vaginal wall prolapse, and the recurrence rate were 3.2% (4/125), but no reoperation and pessary treatment were needed. Therefore, the subjective and objective satisfaction rate was 94.4% (118/125) and 96.8% (121/125). The mean scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 at 5 years after the operations were 8, 7, significantly lower than 62, 64 (P < 0.01). There were 3 cases of ureter obstruction. Tension-free vaginal tape was performed on 47 cases with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as indicated. The symptom of 2 patients was not improved significantly after the operation, but one was improved after 6 months. The rate of denovo SUI was in 2(1.6%, 2/125) patients, but no further treatment was needed. CONCLUSIONS: The transvaginal HUS was then conformed to be a safe, minimal traumatic, highly successful and durable procedure for severe POP, so it is worthy of being popularized for clinical application.

[Transvaginal Prosima mesh and high uterosacral ligament suspension in the treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapsey].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of performing transvaginal Prosima mesh with high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) in treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: From July 2010 to February 2011, 70 patients with severe POP underwent transvaginal prosima mesh with HUS in First Affiliated Hospital, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. Clinical parameters of perioperation were collected. After 1 month and 2 - 3 months, perineal two-dimensional ultrasound examination was performed to measure mesh length in midsagittal plane. Validated prolapse quality of life questionnaires, pelvic floor distress inventsry short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form 7 (PFIQ-7) were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The mean results of pre-operative PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 was 54 and 51, respectively. RESULTS: Median operation time was (195 ± 47) min and median blood loss was (160 ± 64) ml. All the patients were followed for a mean time of 13 months (2 - 19 months). Seven cases were found with mesh exposure with less than 1 cm(2). The objective cure rate was 100%. The mean score of post-operative PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 were both 19, which were significantly lower than those of pre-operation (P < 0.05). Anterior Prosima mesh was 3.5 cm at 1 month by ultrasound examination, and the second result of ultrasound scans was 2.8 cm at 2 - 3 month, which were both shortened 2.5 cm and 3.2 cm when compared with that of original size. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal Prosima mesh placement with HUS is a safe and efficient surgery with less complication. Although mesh became shorter after 2 - 3 month, it did not affect surgery efficacy.

[Impact of vaginal mesh exposure on quality of life in patients undergoing transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery with polypropylene mesh].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of vaginal mesh exposure on quality of life in patients undergoing transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery (RPS) with polypropylene mesh. METHODS: From May 2004 to March 2011, 114 patients with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP) undergoing transvaginal RPS with polypropylene mesh were enrolled in this study, which were divided into exposure and non-exposure group according to appearing vaginal mesh exposure at 2 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation. At the same time, pelvic floor distress inventory short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form 7 (PFIQ-7) were completed in those patients. RESULTS: At 2 months after operation, 96 patients were followed up, including 19 patients in exposure group and 77 patients in non-exposure group, and the rate of exposure was 19.8% (19/96); At 6 months after operation, 85 patients were followed up, including 13 patients in exposure group and 72 patients in non-exposure group, and the rate of exposure was 15.3% (13/85); At 1 year after operation, 77 patients were followed up, including 6 patients in exposure group and 71 patients in non-exposure group, and the rate of exposure was 7.8% (6/77). Mean score of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 in exposure group before operation was 39.6 and 57.1, which was statistically improved to 8.3 and 9.5 at 2 months after operation, 8.3 and 9.5 at 6 months after operation, 2.1 and 0 in 1 year after operation (P < 0.01). Mean score of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 of non-exposure group before operation was 54.2 and 66.7, which was improved to 8.3 and 4.8 at 2 months after operation, 0 at 6 months and 1 year after operation, but there was no significant difference in mean score of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vaginal mesh exposure was common after transvaginal RPS with polypropylene mesh, however, most of them were moderate, and there was no significant impact on patients' qualifies of life.

[Impact of colpocleisis on body image in women with severe pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of colpocleisis on body image in women with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: From Oct. 2005 to Feb. 2010, 60 POP patients with stage III and IV by POP quantitation system underwent total or partial colpocleisis. Patients received body image evaluation before and 1 year after operation. RESULTS: One year after operation, 52 (87%, 52/60) patients completed body image evaluation. Before and 1 year after operation, the ratio of answer "Not at all" of questions such as "Have you felt less physically attractive as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Have you been feeling less feminine as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Did you find it difficult to look at yourself naked?", "Have you been feeling less sexually attractive as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Have you felt dissatisfied with your body?" were 25% and 96% (P < 0.01), 21% and 96% (P < 0.01), 37% and 67% (P = 0.018), 29% and 96% (P < 0.01), 12% and 83% (P < 0.01), respectively, indicating significant improvement on body image after operation for patients treated by colpocleisis. CONCLUSION: Women underwent colpocleisis for severe POP could not decrease their body image as a result of the disability of vaginal intercourse.

[Prevalence of fecal incontinence among adult women in Beijing district].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) among adult women in Beijing area, and to analysis risk factors associated with FI. METHODS: A stratified multiple-cluster systemic method was used to recruit women ≥ 20 years old in 6 districts of Beijing. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information about FI and possible risk factors. RESULTS: There were three thousand and 58 women participated in the survey, the average age was (48 ± 16) years (range 20-79 years). The prevalence of FI was 1.28% (39/3058), which was related to age. There were five factors entered the logistic regress model, which were included age ≥ 40 years old (OR = 3.3, 95%CI: 1.7-6.8), urinary incontinence (OR = 3.0, 95%CI: 1.5-6.1), vaginal delivery (OR = 2.4, 95%CI: 1.2-4.9), household per capita income ≤ 2000 RMB per month (OR = 3.3, 95%CI: 1.6-6.5), and feeling fatigue (OR = 3.0, 95%CI: 1.5-5.8). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of FI is low among adult women in Beijing area, while risk factors associated with FI are complicated and further studies are necessary to be conducted.

[Colpocleisis in elderly patients with severe pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To study the objective and subjective therapeutic effect of total and partial (LeFort) colpocleisis in treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapsed (POP) in selected elderly patients. METHODS: From Oct. 2005 to Feb. 2010, 63 severe POP patients [59-87 years, median age (75+/-6) years] with stage III and IV by POP-Q system underwent total and partial colpocleisis. The mean age was (75+/-6) years (59-87 years). Fifty-eight patients (58/63, 92%) present more than one kind of medical disease. There were 53 cases with uterus prolapse, 1 case with cervix prolapse and 9 cases with vaginal vault prolapse. Seven patients were recurrent POP from previous surgery. Twenty-three patients (36%) presented voiding difficulty. Seven patients (17%) presented obstructive bowel symptom. Three patients (5%) presented fecal incontinence, and 28 patients (44%) presented either had urinary incontinence or history of that. Among 63 patients, 48 patients (76%) underwent total colpoclesis, and 15 (24%) patients partial colpoclesis. Meanwhile, 58 (92%) patients underwent levator myorrhaphy plus perineorrhaphy and 20 (32%) patients underwent anti-urinary incontinence procedure (TVT-O), respectively. Patients were followed up to evaluate therapeutic effect at 2 months and 1 year after surgery. Objective evaluation included the POP-Q and the length of vagina, genital hiatus, perineal body. A nonvalidated Body Image and Satisfaction Questionnaire was completed for subjective evaluation. RESULTS: The mean operating time of 63 patients was (105+/-48) minutes, which was (128+/-58) in total and (82+/-26) minutes partial procedures, which exhibited significant difference (P<0.05). The mean blood loss was (187+/-128) ml (50-600 ml), total and partial procedures caused (232+/-159) and (101+/-54) ml, respectively, which also showed significant difference (P<0.05). No intraoperative injury or death occurred. The rate of postoperative complications was 5% (3/63). Mean follow-up time of 63 patients was 22.5 months (1-51 months). All patients had POP-Q staging score

[High vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension for treatment of uterine prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physiological and anatomic basis,indications,surgical skills, prevention of ureter injury and clinic outcomes of using high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) for correction of advanced uterine prolapse by the vaginal route. METHODS: Fifty women with advanced uterine prolapse underwent transvaginal HUS after vaginal hysterectomy with reconstruction of pubocervical and rectovaginal fascia to correct their uterine prolapse between June 2003 and September 2007. The average age of the women was 60.1 years. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range 4-51 months). The degree of pelvic organ prolapse preoperatively and anatomic outcomes postoperatively were assessed with pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q). RESULTS: The remnants of the uterosacral ligaments were clearly identified and palpated posterior and medial to the ischial spines by traction with a 24 cm long Allis clamp and used for successful vaginal vault suspension and reconstruction in all 50 consecutive advanced uterine prolapse patients. The ureter injury was avoided by complete knowledge of the ureter's course from the cervix/apex toward its insertion in the sacral region and how far outside of the uterosacral ligament, by uteri palpation and by suturing purposefully placed "deep" dorsally and posteriorly toward the sacrum, as well as by cystoscopy examination of the spillage of urine from both ureters. Mean POP-Q point C improved from 1.5 to -7.5 cm with a median follow-up of 24 months. If the successful HUS was defined as point C < or = stage I prolapse, both the objective and subjective cure rates were as high as 100% with a maximum follow-up of 51 months. None of the 50 patients had repeat operation for recurrence of prolapse. There was no major intra-or postoperative complications, such as ureter and other pelvic organ injury. CONCLUSION: HUS with fascial reconstruction seems to be a safe, minimal traumatic, tolerable and highly successful procedure for vaginal repair of advanced uterine prolapse. Because of the use of native tissue as suspension site HUS is more physiologic and cost effective.

Expression of imprinted genes related to Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of imprinted genes related to Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos for understanding the relationship between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and BWS. METHODS: Using nested reverse transcription-PCR to analyze the expression of P57KIP2, LIT1, TSSC3 in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos. RESULTS: Transcripts of P57KIP2 were detected in human oocytes and at all stages of preimplantation embryos. LIT1 was expressed only in stages of 8-cell and blastocyst. Transcripts of TSSC3 could not be detected in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos. CONCLUSION: Transcripts of P57KIP2 and LIT1, imprinted genes related to BWS, were detected in human preimplantation development; ART might affect the epigenetics of imprinted genes in early embryogenesis.

[Vaginal paravaginal repair in treatment of severe anterior vaginal prolapse and cystocele].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rationality, efficacy and safety of vaginal paravaginal repair (VPVR) in treating anterior vaginal prolapse and cystocele. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive women with stage II to IV and grade II-III anterior vaginal prolapse and cystocele evaluated by pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) and Baden-Walker half way system were treated by VPVR. One hundred and one concomitant procedures for reconstructive pelvic surgery were also performed. The VPVR consisted of a thorough entry from the vesicovaginal space under the inferior pubic ramus into the retropubic space, exposing the area of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP), placing nonabsorbable sutures around ATFP on either side and fixed to appropriate locations on the bladder fascia and anterior vaginal walls. Tying of these sutures resulted in dramatic elevation of the lateral superior sulci, as well as prolapsed vesica. Patients were followed up after operation. The cure rate was estimated subjectively and objectively, according to POP-Q and Baden-Walker half way system. RESULTS: All patients had their surgery completed by VPVR. The average operative time was 40 min and estimated blood loss was 70 ml. Two minor intraoperative hemorrhage occurred during dissection of retropubic space and there were no other complications. No morbidity after operation was observed either. Postoperatively, two patients developed obstructive voiding and urinary retention. One recovered completely in a few days, the other has improved slowly for 2 months. Patients were followed up for 2 - 14 months. Two patients with asymptomatic stage I or grade I cystocele were found by examination between 2 and 6 months after operation. Our objective cure rate was 92% and subjective cure rate was 100% respectively at a mean of 6 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Since VPVR can restore the normal lateral attachment of the pubocervical fascia to pelvic side wall at ATFP, it is a reasonable, safe and effective procedure to correct severe anterior vaginal prolapse and cystocele.

[Expression of imprinted gene Grb10 in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mRNA expression of imprinted gene Grb10, a candidate gene for Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos for understanding the role of Grb10 in embryogenesis and assisted reproductive technology (ART). METHODS: Nested reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR was used to analyze Grb10 gene expression in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos. RESULTS: The transcripts of Grb10 were detected in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos at all stages except for the 2-cell stage. CONCLUSION: Grb10 gene is expressed in preimplantation embryos with close association with embryogenesis.