Yanhong Chen

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in pregnancy, triggered by obstetric conditions, is a neuroradiological syndrome and a critical materna

To investigate the clinical manifestations and trends in laboratory indices in patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and identify risk factors for AFLP complicated by acute liver failure (ALF) to improve perinatal outcomes for these patients and their infants. Clinical data, laboratory indices, and maternal and fetal outcomes for 133 patients with AFLP treated at our institution between January 1, 2010 and October 1, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The most frequent clinical manifestations of AFLP were anorexia (n = 59, 44.4%), nausea (n = 41, 30.8%), and vomiting (n = 35, 26.3%). Liver function tests were significantly elevated, including serum alanine aminotransferase (287.0 ± 280.0 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (254.0 ± 245.9 U/L), total bilirubin (99.1 ± 7.4 µmol/L), and direct bilirubin (84.3 ± 5.9 µmol/L). There was also marked coagulopathy, with a fibrinogen level of 1.7 ± 1.0 g/L and a prothrombin time of 16.7 ± 7.5 s. The main complication was acute liver failure (n = 33, 24.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified total bilirubin (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.02, P < 0.001), direct bilirubin (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01–1.02, P < 0.001), prothrombin time (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09–1.32, P < 0.001), and activated partial thromboplastin time (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04, P = 0.017) to be risk factors for acute liver failure in patients with AFLP. Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting were the most common clinical manifestations of AFLP. Liver dysfunction and coagulopathy were indicated by changing trends in laboratory markers. Deterioration of liver function and coagulation parameters may be risk factors for acute liver failure in AFLP. Close monitoring of liver function and coagulation in patients with suspected or confirmed AFLP is essential to prevent this potentially lethal complication.

Objective: This study investigated the potential correlation between in vitro fertilization (IVF) and hearing impairment in twins compared to naturally conceived twins.Methods: We analyzed data from 2,416 twin infants born between 2019 and 2021, including pregnancy conditions and complications of mothers, the birth conditions of newborns, perinatal diseases, initial hearing screening results, and subsequent follow-up conditions.Results: Our findings reveal that the incidence of hearing impairment in IVF-conceived twins is comparable to that in naturally conceived twins. Significant differences in low birth weight, preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, and hyperbilirubinemia were observed between infants who passed and those referred for hearing screening (p < 0.05). The IVF group exhibited a lower incidence of low birth weight (p < 0.05) and older maternal age (p < 0.05) and had higher rates of placental abnormalities and placental abruption (p < 0.05). Notably, these distinctions did not translate into a significant impact on hearing impairment. Regardless of the method of conception, the following key factors contributing to hearing impairment in twins were identified: low birth weight, preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, and hyperbilirubinemia.Conclusions: IVF technology does not exert specific effects on hearing impairment in twins; perinatal complications are the primary influencing factors.

Given that 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) plays a crucial role in the malignant biological behaviors of a wide range of cancers, we review the influence of PDK1 in breast cancer (BC). First, we describe the power of PDK1 in cellular behaviors and characterize the interaction networks of PDK1. Then, we establish the roles of PDK1 in carcinogenesis, growth and survival, metastasis, and chemoresistance in BC cells. More importantly, we sort the current preclinical or clinical trials of PDK1-targeted therapy in BC and find that, even though no selective PDK1 inhibitor is currently available for BC therapy, the combination trials of PDK1-targeted therapy and other agents have provided some benefit. Thus, there is increasing anticipation that PDK1-targeted therapy will have its space in future therapeutic approaches related to BC, and we hope the novel approaches of targeted therapy will be conducive to ameliorating the dismal prognosis of BC patients.

Given that 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) plays a crucial role in malignant biological behaviors of a wide-range of cancers, we further review the influence of PDK1 in breast cancer (BC). First, we describe the power of PDK1 in cellular behaviors and extensively demonstrate the interacting networks of PDK1 via PI3K-dependent/ PI3K-independent pathway. Then we enlighten the roles of PDK1 in carcinogenesis, growth and survival, metastasis, and chemoresistance in BC cells. More important, we sort the current preclinical or clinical trials of PDK1 targeted therapy in BC and find that even though at present no selective PDK1 inhibitor is available for BC therapy, but the combination trials of PDK1 targeted therapy and other agents have demonstrated some benefit. Thus, there is increasing anticipations that PDK1 targeted therapy will have its space in future therapeutic concepts of BC, and we hope to feature PDK1 in BC to the clinic and bring the new promising to patients for targeted therapies.