Primary osteosarcoma of the uterine corpus: case report and review of the literature

A rare case of rapidly growing osteosarcoma that developed in the uterine corpus of a 62-year-old woman is presented. The tumor occupied almost the entire pelvic cavity and extended into the abdominal cavity, with marked involvement of the intestines. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of an osteoblastic component, accompanied by conspicuous bone formation, and a fibroblastic component. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin and osteocalcin, as well as desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin, but negative for h-caldesmon. The results indicated myofibroblastic differentiation in a part of the tumor. A review of 14 reported cases and our case of uterine osteosarcoma revealed that this tumor has a biologically aggressive nature, although its histopathological and immunohistochemical features are similar to those of osteosarcomas in soft tissue and bone. As the prognosis of patients with this tumor is poor, it is of importance to differentiate this tumor from other types of tumors arising from the uterine corpus.     

Pregnancy-Associated Uterine Granulated Metrial Gland Cells in Mutant and Transgenic Mice

PROBLEM: Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are pregnancy-specific uterine lymphocytes found in rodents. The lineage relationships of GMG cells are incompletely defined, although genetic and immunophenotyping studies suggest membership in the natural killer (NIC) cell lineage. Pregnancy-specific functions have been postulated for GMG cells, but no successful depletion of these cells has been achieved that would permit assessment of any critical roles that might influence gestational outcome. METHOD: Routine histological methods for light microscopy were used to assess implantation sites from wild-type mice and mice of the following genotypes: tgE26, mi/mi, and p53 knockout. RESULTS: GMG cells are transient, histamine-negative cells found in the pregnant uteri of most mice. Pregnancies in the NK and T-cell-deficient tgE26 were characterized by infrequent GMG cells, very small placentae, and an elevated rate of fetal and perinatal mortality. In term placentae of mi/mi with dystocia, GMG cells were found in a new location along the plane of placental separation, and they appeared degranulated. A normal life-history was observed for GMG cells in p53 knockout mice. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies in mutant and transgenic mice indicate that GMG cells are natural killer cells and have critical roles in placental development and pregnancy success. The disappearance of GMG cells at term is independent of p53 gene expression.     

Cervicovaginal (Papanicolaou) smear findings in patients with malignant mixed Müllerian tumors

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor is a rare neoplasm that occurs most frequently in elderly patients. It is characterized by a mixture of malignant epithelial and sarcomatous components. Little has been published about Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Müllerian tumors. We present our experience, with an emphasis on cytologic detail. Nine patients (median age, 65 yr) met our study criteria. All available smears and surgical specimens were reviewed. Four smears were positive for malignancy, with a sensitivity of 44% (3 adenocarcinoma, and 1 squamous-cell carcinoma, small-cell type). The results of our study showed that Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Müllerian tumors are seen in patients with advanced-stage disease with involvement of the lower uterine segment or cervix. The usual finding is large numbers of high-grade epithelial malignant cells in a necrotic background. The mesenchymal component rarely sheds cells visible on Papanicolaou smear.     

Fifteen years experience with an in-vitro fertilization surrogate gestational pregnancy programme

The purpose of our study was to review and evaluate retrospectively the experience of an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) surrogate gestational programme in a tertiary care and academic centre. In a 15 year period from 1984 to 1999, a total of 180 cycles of IVF surrogate gestational pregnancy was started in 112 couples. On average, the women were 34.4 +/- 4.4 years of age, had 11.1 +/- 0.72 oocytes obtained per retrieval, 7.1 +/- 0.5 oocytes fertilized and 5. 8 +/- 0.4 embryos subsequently cleaved. Sixteen cycles (8.9%) were cancelled due to poor stimulation. Except for six cycles (3.3%) where there were no embryos available, an average of 3.2 +/- 0.1 embryos was transferred to each individual recipient. The overall pregnancy rate per cycle after IVF surrogacy was 24% (38 of 158), with a clinical pregnancy rate of 19% (30 of 158), and a live birth rate of 15.8% (25 of 158). When compared to patients who underwent a hysterectomy, individuals with congenital absence of the uterus had significantly more oocytes retrieved (P < 0.006), fertilized, cleaved and more embryos available for transfer despite being of comparable age. IVF surrogate gestation is an established, yet still controversial, approach to the care of infertile couples. Take-home baby rates are comparable to conventional IVF over the same 15 year span in our programme. Patients with congenital absence of the uterus responded to ovulation induction better than patients who underwent a hysterectomy, perhaps due in part to ovarian compromise from previous surgical procedures.     

DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism is associated with increased risk of uterine leiomyoma

BACKGROUND: DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism has been associated with the risk of several human tumours. In the present study we investigated whether the XRCC1 polymorphism is related to the risk of uterine leiomyoma, the most common neoplasm of the female genital tract. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-seven patients with uterine leiomyoma and 197 normal controls were enrolled, and XRCC1 genotyping was determined by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The proportions of individuals homozygous for 399Arg allele, heterozygous and homozygous for the 399Gln allele were 85.8%, 13.7% and 0.5% among the control group, and 46.2%, 53.2% and 0.6% in those with leiomyoma (P < 0.001), respectively. Logistic regression analysis (after adjusting for age, parity, menarche age and body mass index) showed a significant increased risk of uterine leiomyoma in women with the Arg/Gln genotype versus the Arg/Arg genotype (odds ratio 6.79; 95% confidence interval 4.20-10.99; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Korean women, the 399Gln polymorphism of XRCC1 is associated with an increased risk of uterine leiomyoma.     

Immunocompetent cells in the endometrium of fetuses and children

BACKGROUND: Although the immunocompetent cells of the adult human endometrium are well characterized, there is little information about these cells in the developing uterus. This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of leukocyte subpopulations in the endometrium of fetuses and children. METHODS: Uterine tissue obtained at autopsy from fetuses (n = 11) and neonates/children (n = 9) between 17 weeks gestation and 5(1/2) years of age was investigated with antibodies against various leukocyte subsets by immunohistochemical staining techniques. RESULTS: The densities of CD45+ and CD68+ cells were significantly higher in the endometrium of neonates/children than in that of fetuses. CD14+ monocytes represented the largest leukocyte subpopulation in both groups. CD56+ natural killer cells and HLA-DR+ antigen-presenting cells were absent from fetal endometrium. There were no differences in density of CD3+ T cells between the two groups, but CD4+ T helper cells were found only in fetal endometrium. CONCLUSIONS: The endometrial leukocyte population of fetuses and small children is different from that seen in adult women. The appearance of CD56+ and HLA-DR+ cells in endometrium seems to be a post-natal event, which may be induced by the changes in hormone levels and/or the adaptation of the local immune system to the changing microenvironment.     

剖宫产术后阴道分娩产妇的临床分析

目的探讨剖宫产术后阴道分娩(VBAC)产妇的母儿结局。 方法选择2016年1月1日至2019年12月31日,四川大学华西第二医院收治的VBAC足月妊娠产妇397例为研究对象,纳入研究组。按照1∶1比例,采用随机数字表法随机抽取同期于本院足月经阴道分娩的非瘢痕子宫产妇397例,作为对照,纳入对照组。观察2组产妇年龄、身高、人体质量指数(BMI)、本次分娩距前次分娩间隔时间、分娩时孕龄,第一、第二、第三产程时间,术中出血量、产后出血(PPH)量(2 h)、PPH率、严重PPH率,以及新生儿出生体重与窒息发生率等指标,并采用成组t检验、Wilcoxon秩和检验、χ²检验和Fisher确切概率法对上述指标进行统计学比较。对2016—2019年本院产妇分娩情况进行分析。2组产妇年龄、身高、BMI、分娩时孕龄等一般临床资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。本研究遵循的程序符合2013年新修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》要求。 结果①2016—2019年,本院剖宫产术分娩率为58.45%～62.37%,剖宫产术后瘢痕子宫(SUAC)患者再次妊娠的剖宫产术分娩率为93.06%～95.83%,平均为94.60%(10 942/11 567),非SUAC患者的剖宫产术分娩率为50.27%(18 586/36 972)。瘢痕子宫患者为13 963例(28.77%),2017年瘢痕子宫患者所占比例最高,为33.74%(3 361/9 961),此后呈下降趋势。②研究组产妇第一、第二产程时间及术中出血量、PPH量(2 h)、PPH率分别为363 min(212～450 min)、46 min(22～60 min)、312 mL(200～350 mL)、348 mL(230～380 mL)、10.8%(43/397),均显著长于、大于、高于对照组的294 min(180～380 min)、15 min(7～20 min)、231 mL(150～280 mL)、264 mL(180～310 mL)、4.3%(17/397),研究组新生儿出生体重为(3 216±359) g,则显著低于对照组的(3 369±369) g,并且差异均有统计学意义(Z＝4.797、16.065、8.028、8.122,χ²＝12.188,t＝-17.013,均为P<0.001)。③SUAC患者再次妊娠的子宫破裂发生率为1.73/10 000(2/11 567),占VBAC者的0.32%(2/625)。 结论VBAC是可行的,子宫破裂发生率低,但是其PPH风险增加。临床对于此类产妇,产程中应做好监护,积极预防PPH。     

新式阴道前、后壁联合修补术临床分析

目的探讨新式阴道前、后壁联合修补术治疗盆腔脏器脱垂(POP)的临床效果。方法选择2017年1月至2021年1月,于南京医科大学附属淮安第一医院接受手术治疗的120例POP患者为研究对象。根据采用的手术方式,将其分为研究组(n=60,采用新式阴道前、后壁联合修补术)及对照组(n=60,采用腹腔镜下全子宫双侧附件切除术+传统阴道前、后壁修补术)。采用独立样本t检验及χ^(2)检验,对2组患者一般临床资料,术中及术后情况进行统计学比较。本研究经南京医科大学附属淮安第一医院医学伦理委员会批准(审批文号:YX-P-2020-023-01)。所有患者知情同意并与之签署临床研究知情同意书。结果①2组POP患者年龄、人体质量指数(BMI)、产次、绝经者比例及POP脱垂程度比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②研究组POP患者手术时间、术中出血量、总住院时间、术后住院时间及住院费用分别为(88.0±30.6)min、(24.7±36.0)mL、(7.3±2.1)d、(4.6±1.4)d及(10727±1812)元,均短于或低于对照组的(118.0±33.4)min、(56.7±43.8)mL、(9.8±2.3)d、(6.4±1.6)d及(26318±3890)元,并且差异均有统计学意义(t=5.130、4.372、6.218、6.558、28.138,均为P<0.001)。2组POP患者术后3、6、12个月复发率构成比比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论新式阴道前、后壁联合修补术在不增加POP患者术后复发率的基础上,不仅能缩短手术时间、减少患者术中出血量,还可以缩短住院时间、减少住院费用,并且易于操作,适宜推广。     

微创性子宫宫切除术式探讨

目的：探讨微创性子宫切除术式,方法：取1991－1997年需子宫切除术的60例患者做了微创性子宫切除术,并与同期60例行传统子宫切除术患者作比较。结果：微创性子宫切除术手术时间短,术中出血少,术后并发症少,两者相比有显著性差异。因均采用术后镇痛,肛门排气时间无差异,结论：微创性子宫切除术操作简单,易于掌握,利用腹膜张力达到腹膜外操作的目的,减少腹腔干扰及内脏牵引,手术切口小,值得推广。     

基于小鼠子宫平滑肌收缩活性测定的桂枝茯苓胶囊质量评价研究

目的 从桂枝茯苓胶囊（Guizhi Fuling Capsules,GZFLC）临床用于治疗痛经的功效出发,探索建立基于子宫平滑肌收缩活性测定的GZFLC质量生物活性评价方法。方法 通过注射雌激素增加小鼠子宫敏感性,建立缩宫素诱导的小鼠离体子宫平滑肌收缩模型,采集给药前后小鼠子宫平滑肌的收缩频率、幅值和峰面积,以收缩峰面积为指标进行统计并对药效进行归一化处理。考察小鼠离体子宫平滑肌收缩模型的主要影响因素如雌激素注射方式与天数、缩宫素浓度、动物周龄和GZFLC前处理方法。建立GZFLC质量生物活性评价方法并进行方法学考察,测定10个批次GZFLC合格样品及2个GZFLC高温破坏样品的生物活性。结果 连续3 d ip雌激素10 mg/（kg·d）后小鼠子宫平滑肌收缩峰面积较高且收缩节律较好;最适缩宫素造模质量浓度为0.050 μg/mL;将GZFLC配制成质量浓度为0.125 g/mL的药液并超声溶解60 min有利于药效发挥;重复性考察RSD为11.298%,日内精密度RSD为12.452%,日间精密度RSD为10.438%;10批次GZFLC半数抑制浓度（half inhibitory concentration,IC₅₀）为1.526～1.631 mg/mL,高温破坏后GZFLC的IC₅₀明显增大。结论 基于子宫平滑肌收缩活性测定的GZFLC质量评价方法重复性和精密度较好,为后续GZFLC的综合质量评价标准建立提供了科学依据。