STUDY QUESTION Does inoculation with inactivated vaccines against coronavirus 19 (Covid-19) before frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) affect live birth and neonatal outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER Inactivated Covid-19 vaccines did not undermine live birth and neonatal outcomes of women planning for FET. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Accumulating reports are now available indicating the safe use of mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 in pregnant and lactating women, and a few reports indicate that they are not associated with adverse effects on ovarian stimulation or early pregnancy outcomes following IVF. Evidence about the safety of inactivated Covid-19 vaccines is very limited. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a retrospective cohort analysis from Reproductive Medical Center of a tertiary teaching hospital. Clinical records and vaccination record of 2574 couples with embryos transferred between March 1st 2021 and Sept 30th 2021, were screened for eligibility of this study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Clinical and vaccination data of infertile couples planning for FET were screened for eligibility of the study. The reproductive and neonatal outcomes of FET women inoculated with inactivated Covid-19 vaccines or not were compared. The primary outcomes were live birth rate per embryo transfer cycle and newborns’ birth height and weight. Secondary outcomes included rates of ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage. Multivariate logistical regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were performed to minimize the influence of confounding factors. Subgroup analyses including single dose versus double dose of the vaccines, and the time intervals between the first vaccination and embryo transfer were also performed. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE Vaccinated women have comparable live birth rates (43.6% versus 45.0% before PSM, P = 0.590; and 42.9% versus 43.9% after PSM, P = 0.688), ongoing pregnancy rates (48.2% versus 48.1% before PSM, P = 0.980; and 52.2% versus 52.7% after PSM, P = 0.875), clinical pregnancy rate (55.0% versus 54.8% before PSM, P = 0.928; and 54.7% versus 54.2% after PSM, P = 0.868) when compared with unvaccinated counterparts. The newborns’ birth length (50.0 ± 1.6 versus 49.0 ± 2.9 cm before PSM, P = 0.116; and 49.9 ± 1.7 versus 49.3 ± 2.6 cm after PSM, P = 0.141) and birth weight (3111.2 ± 349.9 versus 3030.3 ± 588.5 g before PSM, P = 0.544; and 3053.8 ± 372.5 versus 3039.2 ± 496.8 g after PSM, P = 0.347) were all similar between the two groups. Neither single dose nor double dose of vaccines, as well as different intervals between vaccination and embryo transfer showed any significant impacts on reproductive and neonatal outcomes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main findings might be limited by retrospective design. Besides, inoculations of triple dose of Covid-19 vaccines were not available by the time of data collection, thus the results cannot reflect the safe use of triple dose of inactivated Covid-19 vaccines. Finally, history of Covid-19 infection was based on patients’ self-report rather than objective laboratory tests. WIDE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Eligible individuals of inactivated vaccines against Covid-19 should not postpone vaccination plan because of their embryo transfer schedule, or vice versa. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was support by The Medical Key Discipline of Guangzhou (2021-2023). All authors had nothing to disclose. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.

The second near infrared window is considered to be the optimal optical window for medical imaging and therapy as its capability of deep tissue penetration. The preparation of the gold nanorods with long wavelength absorption and low cytotoxicity is still a challenge. A series gold nanorods with large aspect ratio have been synthesized. Strong plasma absorption in the second near infrared window from 1000 to 1300 nm could be observed. The biocompatibility of the synthesized gold nanorods is dramatically improved via coating by bovine serum albumin (BSA), while the optical properties of which remains. The breast cancer tumor-bearing mouse could be well treated by the prepared gold nanorods with the NIR-II light intensity as low as 0.75 W/cm2. In summary, these results demonstrate the feasibility of using low illumination dose to treat tumor in the NIR-II region via the large aspect ratio gould nanoparticles.

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Malignant tumors are a major threat to human life and high lymphatic vessel density is often associated with metastatic tumors. With the discovery of molecules targeted at the lymphatic system such as lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1) and Podoplanin, many studies have been performed to determine the role of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in tumor metastasis. However, disadvantages such as non-specificity and high cost limit their research and diagnostic applications. In this study, Fe 3 O 4 @KCTS, a core-shell type of magnetic nanoparticles, was prepared by activating Fe 3 O 4 with carbodiimide and cross-linking it with α-ketoglutarate chitosan (KCTS). The LYVE-1 and Podoplanin antibodies were then incorporated onto the surface of these magnetic nanoparticles and as a result, dual-targeting magnetic nanoprobes were developed. The experimental tests of this study demonstrated that a dual-targeting magnetic nanoprobe with high-purity LECs from tumor tissues was successfully developed, providing a basis for clinical application of LECs in colorectal cancer treatment as well as in early clinical diagnosis using bimodal imaging.