Vaginal birth after cesarean section: Experience from a regional hospital.

Objective: Trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) is an option for women with previous cesarean section. However, few women choose this option because of safety concerns. We evaluate the safety and risks associated with TOLAC and the success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC).

Expanding the gelation properties of valine-based 3,5-diaminobenzoate organogelators with N-alkylurea functionalities.

A new family of valine-containing 3,5-diaminobenzoate derivatives 2 with N-alkylurea moieties attached to the valine moieties was prepared. By appending these two new N-alkylurea chains to the molecular structure, their organogelating properties were extended from only aromatic solvents, to a wide range of other types of solvents such as alicyclic hydrocarbons, alcohols and polar solvents such as DMSO and DMF. It was also found that a longer N-alkylurea chain conferred improved gelation power and higher thermal stability as compared to those of the shorter ones.

Alpha2-macroglobulin expression in the liver in response to inflammation is mediated by the testis.

Earlier studies have shown that germ cells or germ cell-conditioned media are capable of regulating alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-MG, a non-specific protease inhibitor) expression by Sertoli cells and hepatocytes cultured in vitro. These results illustrate a possible physiological link between testes and liver regarding alpha2-MG production. Using a series of surgical procedures including castration, hemicastration, and hepatectomy coupled with Northern blot and immunoblot analyses, we report herein that the surge in alpha2-MG expression in the liver in response to inflammation is indeed regulated, at least in part, by the testis via testosterone.