Jian Zhang

Distinctive pattern of left–right asymmetry of ovarian benign teratomas in Chinese population: a 12-year-long cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose Given the lack of research on the left–right asymmetry of ovarian teratoma among Chinese patients, this study aimed to determine the lateral distribution and related clinical characteristics of Chinese ovarian teratoma patients treated at a single center. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of surgical patients pathologically diagnosed with ovarian teratomas in the gynecology inpatient department of the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital in Shanghai between July 2006 and July 2018. Results Of the 4417 patients with ovarian teratoma, 3835 were finally analyzed. There were 2030 (53.24%) cases of right-sided benign ovarian teratoma versus 1783 (46.76%) cases of left-sided benign teratoma (P < 0.001). The recurrence rate of benign ovarian teratoma was 4.2%; recurrence occurred more often on the left side (left vs. right = 55 vs. 45%, P = 0.033). Compared with the right-sided ovarian teratoma patients, left-sided ones had significantly high recurrence risk (OR 1.430; 95% CI 1.03–1.99). The rate of ovarian torsion in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) during intrauterine pregnancy was 3.17 versus 1.72% in non-pregnant MCT patients (P = 0.049). For those MCT patients with intrauterine pregnancy, ovarian torsion occurs more often on the right side (left vs. right = 16.67 vs. 83.33%, P = 0.028). Conclusion This study confirms a distinctive right-side dominance of benign ovarian teratomas. Compared with the right side, recurrent ovarian teratomas occur more often on the left side, requiring close follow-up. Intrauterine pregnancy may increase the risk of ovarian torsion, particularly on the right side, in MCT patients.

HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 may play a unique role in ovarian teratoma-associated anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

AbstractBackgroundOvarian teratoma-associated anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDAR-E) is a severe autoimmune neurological disorder, and the influence of teratoma-induced autoantibodies on the pathogenesis remains unclear.MethodsOvarian teratoma tissues were collected from teratoma patients with and without NMDAR-E. Proteins were extracted and then analyzed using iTRAQ-coupled LC–MS/MS, which was followed by bioinformatics analysis. Candidate proteins were verified by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn total, 36 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between the control group and NMDAR-E group, and the bioinformatics analysis revealed that the DEPs were mainly involved in immune-related pathways, especially HLA-A and HLA-DRB1. The western blotting results for HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 were consistent with the results of the iTRAQ analysis. Additionally, the immunohistochemical data revealed that the aggregation of HLA-A (+) and HLA-DRB1 (+) cells was more apparent in the teratoma tissues of NMDAR-E patients compared with that in the tissues of controls.ConclusionOur investigation indicated that HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 might be involved in mediating ovarian teratoma-associated NMDAR-E. These findings provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms and provide information for the functional exploration of proteins in the future.

Effect of barbed suture versus conventional suture in laparo‐endoscopic single‐site cystectomy for ovarian mature cystic teratoma: An ambispective cohort study

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effects of barbed suture (BS) and conventional suture (CS) on perioperative conditions and ovarian function in the excision of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) by laparo‐endoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS).MethodsThe present study is an ambispective cohort study conducted in an affiliated tertiary hospital between May 2019 and October 2020. Women treated by LESS cystectomy for unilateral ovarian MCT were included. BS or CS were applied in the surgery.ResultsBS and CS groups were matched 1:1 for age, body mass index and ovarian cyst volume (40 women per group). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Mean operating time (53.89 ± 14.80 versuss 67.93 ± 19.23 min, P = 0.004) and suturing time (11.85 ± 6.68 versus 19.76 ± 12.75 min, P = 0.006) were significantly shorter in the BS group than the CS group. No significant differences were found in serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels between groups at baseline, postoperative day 1, 3 months, and 12 months. However, serum AMH was significantly lower than baseline at postoperative day 1, 3 months, and 12 months in both groups.ConclusionBS provides shorter operating and suturing time than CS, without increasing damage to ovarian function in LESS cystectomy for ovarian MCT.

In vivo Multi-scale Photoacoustic Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy of Cervical Cancer based on Customized Laser System and Targeted Nanoparticles

Effective treatment strategy for cervical carcinoma is subject to the limitation of its anatomical location and histological characteristics. Comprehensive imaging before cervical carcinoma treatment is of great significance for the patients. Current imaging methods cannot meet the requirements of high resolution, deep imaging depth and non-invasive imaging at the same time. Fortunately, Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a novel imaging method that combines rich optical contrast, high ultrasonic spatial resolution, and deep penetration depth in a single modality. Moreover, PAI-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) by aid of targeting nanoparticles is an emerging and effective cancer treatment in recent years. Here, strong near-infrared region (NIR) absorption-conjugated polymer PIIGDTS (PD) nanoparticles with folic acid (FA) modification (namely, PD-FA) that targeted at Hela cell were specifically designed as cervical tumor imaging contrast agents and photothermal agents. The obtained PD-FA nanoparticles exhibited admirable photoacoustic contrast-enhancing ability and desirable PTT behavior with the photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 62.6% in vitro. Furthermore, the PAI performance and PTT efficiency were tested in HeLa tumor-bearing nude mice after injection of PD-FA nanoparticles. In vivo multi-scale, PAI provided B-san and 3D dimension imaging for intuitive and comprehensive information of Hela tumor. Moreover, the Hela tumor can be completely eliminated within 18 days after PTT, with no toxicity and side effects. In summary, PD-FA injection combined with PAI and PTT systems provides a novel powerful tool for early diagnosis and precise treatment of cervical cancer.