Cell-Mediated Immunity in Infertility

ABSTRACT: A role of cell-mediated immunity in immunologic infertility is indicated by a number of animal immunization studies and by reported clinical associations between cellular immune responses and infertility. Furthermore, recent technical advances in the field of cellular immunology have enabled advanced studies on the cellular and soluble mediators of cell-mediated immune responses and their interactions with reproductive processes. In this article we review some of the recent technical and conceptual advances in cellular immunology, the classic literature on cellular immune responses in infertility, and recent evidence that certain products of activated lymphocytes and macrophages significantly affect reproductive functions.     

Artificial Liver: Present and Future

Early in 1956, the first model of a biological artificial liver, using a live dog's liver incorporated in a cross-hemodialyzer, was placed in an experimental animal with portocaval encephalopathy. This "biological artificial liver," a hybrid artificial liver in the present terminology, was the first in the world. In October 1958, the first human patient, a young male patient in hepatic coma due to liver cirrhosis, was placed on the laboratory-made biological artificial liver composed of four parabiotic cross-hemodialyzers connected with four live dogs' livers to which the "hepatic reactors" for ammonium adsorption and acid-base balance were additionally equipped. This first case was very successful, resulting in the patient's recovery from coma. This article introduces the past history of the artificial liver, research of which has mainly been conducted in Japan since the early 1950s by the author, M. Mito, and Y. Nosé. Until recently, little progress has been made in this field through the application of blood purification principles such as hemoadsorption, plasmapheresis, and other modifications and combinations. Accumulation of clinical experiences with such conventional methods has stimulated the third generation of the artificial liver to a return to a hybrid organ applying modern science and technology. A concept of hybrid organs in comparison with organ transplants is introduced. The Japanese national project of developing a new artificial liver system, as conducted by the author as the chairman and his associates, is introduced.     

Assessing the Economic Value of Clinical Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities

ObjectivesClinical artificial intelligence (AI) is a novel technology, and few economic evaluations have focused on it to date. Before its wider implementation, it is important to highlight the aspects of AI that challenge traditional health technology assessment methods.MethodsWe used an existing broad value framework to assess potential ways AI can provide good value for money. We also developed a rubric of how economic evaluations of AI should vary depending on the case of its use.ResultsWe found that the measurement of core elements of value—health outcomes and cost—are complicated by AI because its generalizability across different populations is often unclear and because its use may necessitate reconfigured clinical processes. Clinicians’ productivity may improve when AI is used. If poorly implemented though, AI may also cause clinicians’ workload to increase. Some AI has been found to exacerbate health disparities. Nevertheless, AI may promote equity by expanding access to medical care and, when properly trained, providing unbiased diagnoses and prognoses. The approach to assessment of AI should vary based on its use case: AI that creates new clinical possibilities can improve outcomes, but regulation and evidence collection may be difficult; AI that extends clinical expertise can reduce disparities and lower costs but may result in overuse; and AI that automates clinicians’ work can improve productivity but may reduce skills.ConclusionsThe potential uses of clinical AI create challenges for health technology assessment methods originally developed for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Health economists should be prepared to examine data collection and methods used to train AI, as these may impact its future value.     

长效可逆避孕措施在人工流产后即刻实施的效果评价

目的探究长效可逆避孕措施在人工流产后即刻实施的效果。方法从2017年7月-2018年7月,抽选在广州市增城区妇幼保健院行人工流产女性1200例,按照随机数字表法分为常规组(612例)和强化干预组(588例)。常规组给予常规流产后关爱(PAC)服务,强化干预组在常规PAC服务的基础上采用长效可逆避孕措施。对比两组长效可逆避孕措施使用情况、重复人工流产率以及避孕措施的持续时间情况。结果强化干预组的高效避孕措施使用率比常规组更高,同时重复人工流产率比常规组低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);强化干预组长效可逆避孕措施LARC(IUS/IUD)避孕术后6个月、1年使用率明显高于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);复方口服避孕药优思悦(COC)避孕术后3个月、6个月、1年的使用率比常规组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论人工流产后即刻实施长效可逆避孕措施,可提升高效避孕措施的使用率,减少意外妊娠及再次人工流产的几率,值得推广。     

Chronic Intake of Energy Drinks and Their Sugar Free Substitution Similarly Promotes Metabolic Syndrome

Energy drinks containing significant quantities of caffeine, taurine and sugar are increasingly consumed, particularly by adolescents and young adults. The putative effects of chronic ingestion of either standard energy drink, Mother^TM (ED), or its sugar-free formulation (sfED) on metabolic syndrome were determined in wild-type C57BL/6J mice, in comparison to a soft drink, Coca-Cola (SD), a Western-styled diet enriched in saturated fatty acids (SFA), and a combination of SFA + ED. Following 13 weeks of intervention, mice treated with ED were hyperglycaemic and hypertriglyceridaemic, indicating higher triglyceride glucose index, which was similar to the mice maintained on SD. Surprisingly, the mice maintained on sfED also showed signs of insulin resistance with hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, and greater triglyceride glucose index, comparable to the ED group mice. In addition, the ED mice had greater adiposity primarily due to the increase in white adipose tissue, although the body weight was comparable to the control mice receiving only water. The mice maintained on SFA diet exhibited significantly greater weight gain, body fat, cholesterol and insulin, whilst blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations remained comparable to the control mice. Collectively, these data suggest that the consumption of both standard and sugar-free forms of energy drinks induces metabolic syndrome, particularly insulin resistance.     

Aspartame—True or False? Narrative Review of Safety Analysis of General Use in Products

Aspartame is a sweetener introduced to replace the commonly used sucrose. It was discovered by James M. Schlatter in 1965. Being 180–200 times sweeter than sucrose, its intake was expected to reduce obesity rates in developing countries and help those struggling with diabetes. It is mainly used as a sweetener for soft drinks, confectionery, and medicines. Despite its widespread use, its safety remains controversial. This narrative review investigates the existing literature on the use of aspartame and its possible effects on the human body to refine current knowledge. Taking to account that aspartame is a widely used artificial sweetener, it seems appropriate to continue research on safety. Studies mentioned in this article have produced very interesting results overall, the current review highlights the social problem of providing visible and detailed information about the presence of aspartame in products. The studies involving the impact of aspartame on obesity, diabetes mellitus, children and fetus, autism, neurodegeneration, phenylketonuria, allergies and skin problems, its cancer properties and its genotoxicity were analyzed. Further research should be conducted to ensure clear information about the impact of aspartame on health.     

《2020 ACOG实践简报:孕龄≤70 d药物流产(No.225)》解读

药物流产(MA)是早孕期避孕失败的补救措施,主要药物为米非司酮和米索前列醇,二者联合使用,可使早孕期孕妇完全终止妊娠率达到90%。但是,MA导致的患者阴道流血时间长、量多,甚至阴道大流血,而需采取急诊刮宫术治疗等,尚未被彻底解决。如何安全、有效终止早孕期妊娠,保护女性生殖健康是目前国内外该领域的研究重点。美国妇产科医师学学会(ACOG)发布的《2020 ACOG实践简报:孕龄≤70 d药物流产(No.225)》对早孕期孕妇终止妊娠,具有重要指导作用。笔者拟就该简报对MA用于孕龄≤70 d孕妇的临床效果评估,MA用药方案、禁忌证、适应证,MA前咨询和检查,MA疼痛管理,MA后观察、预防性抗菌药物使用、随访管理、避孕措施9个方面基于循证医学推荐进行解读。     

低出生体重儿危险因素病例对照研究

目的 探索低出生体重儿发生的相关危险因素。方法 对沈阳市妇婴等15家医院分娩的部分产妇进行低出出生重儿的病例对照研究。结果 在控制孕妇患慢性疾病,生殖器官畸形,严重妊妊反应,化程度和巨细胞病毒等感染以及主动吸烟等混杂因素后,产妇受孕期受被动吸烟,自然流产、人工流产史,家族低出生体重史,孕前体重指数（BMI）,职业接触有机物以及丈夫饮酒史诸因素影响,分娩低出生体重儿的危险性为对照组的2．95,2．17,2．25,2．04,2．98和1．75倍。结论 上述因素均可能是低出生体重儿的危险因素。     

人工流产术前宫颈及子宫内膜麻醉的镇痛效果探讨

目的　探讨宫颈与子宫内膜两部位联合麻醉、普鲁卡因与利多卡因两药物配合应用在人工流产术中的镇痛效果。方法　人工流产术前对麻醉组 10 6例行普鲁卡因宫颈浸润麻醉和利多卡因子宫内膜表面麻醉。术中记录受术者腹痛程度、无阻力插入宫颈内口的扩张器号、出血量、人流综合征例数等指标。按照世界卫生组织规定疼痛标准及人工流产综合征反应进行评价 ,同期选择按传统机械扩宫法 10 4例做对照。结果　麻醉组镇痛有效率95 3% ,宫口松驰有效率 95 3% ,人流综合征无 1例发生。两组比较P均 <0 0 0 1。两组出血量比较无差异 ,无利多卡因毒性反应发生。结论　人工流产术前普鲁卡因宫颈浸润麻醉和利多卡因子宫内膜表面麻醉镇痛效果显著 ,可大大降低人流综合征的发生 ,避免利多卡因的毒性反应