Prolonged gonadotropin stimulation is associated with decreased ART success.

Purpose: to evaluate whether the duration of gonadotropin stimulation predicts the likelihood of live birth after ART.

Methods: all IVF or ICSI cycles using fresh autologous oocytes at our institution between January 2004 and December 2007 were analyzed.

Results: out of 699 cycles resulting in oocyte retrieval, 193 produced a live birth (27.

Enzymatic AND logic gates operated under conditions characteristic of biomedical applications.

Experimental and theoretical analyses of the lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase based enzymatic AND logic gates in which the enzymes and their substrates serve as logic inputs are performed. These two systems are examples of the novel, previously unexplored class of biochemical logic gates that illustrate potential biomedical applications of biochemical logic. They are characterized by input concentrations at logic 0 and 1 states corresponding to normal and pathophysiological conditions.

Strip-based amperometric detection of myeloperoxidase.

The development of a screen-printed strip-based amperometric biosensor for the determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels is reported. The biosensor utilizes 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as a redox mediator to enable high-sensitivity quantification of physiological levels of MPO. A multivariate parameter optimization was performed.

Predictors and long-term outcome of seizures after bacterial brain abscess.

Background: Seizures are one of the most important neurological complications of bacterial brain abscesses. A better understanding of the risk factors of seizures following bacterial brain abscesses is needed to predict those who will require treatment.

Methods: A total of 205 patients were enrolled in this 22-year retrospective study.

Ileoileal intussusception due to ileal ectopic pancreas with abundant fat tissue mimicking lipoma.

A 26-year-old woman presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction. An emergent computed tomography (CT) scan was performed which showed ileoileal intussusceptions due to a fatty nodule. Exploratory laparotomy and removal of the involved small bowel was performed.

Using the oxygen-cost diagram in ramp-slope selection for dyspneic patients.

Background: Maximal incremental exercise testing should be completed within 8-12 minutes. The ramp-slope influences the exercise duration. Oxygen-cost diagram (OCD) is a scoring scale for the capability of daily activity performed and therefore can be used to estimate the ramp-slope.

Multiplexing of injury codes for the parallel operation of enzyme logic gates.

The development of a highly parallel enzyme logic sensing concept employing a novel encoding scheme for the determination of multiple pathophysiological conditions is reported. The new concept multiplexes a contingent of enzyme-based logic gates to yield a distinct 'injury code' corresponding to a unique pathophysiological state as prescribed by a truth table. The new concept is illustrated using an array of NAND and AND gates to assess the biomedical significance of numerous biomarker inputs including creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, norepinephrine, glutamate, alanine transaminase, lactate, glucose, glutathione disulfide, and glutathione reductase to assess soft-tissue injury, traumatic brain injury, liver injury, abdominal trauma, hemorrhagic shock, and oxidative stress.

Development of pictographs depicting medication use instructions for low-literacy medical clinic ambulatory patients.

Background: One approach to help elderly and low-literacy patients understand instructions for medication use is to use pictographs or pictorial diagrams. However, most of these pictographs are designed by medical professionals and may not be optimal for such patients.

Objective: To compare low-literacy patients with medical staff in dimensions of preference and comprehension of pictographs intended to illustrate medication use instructions for medical clinic ambulatory patients.

Thick-film textile-based amperometric sensors and biosensors.

The incorporation of amperometric sensors into clothing through direct screen-printing onto the textile substrate is described. Particular attention is given to electrochemical sensors printed directly on the elastic waist of underwear that offers tight direct contact with the skin. The textile-based printed carbon electrodes have a well-defined appearance with relatively smooth conductor edges and no apparent defects or cracks.

The experiences of non-operative treatment in patients with bacterial brain abscess.

Although treatment of brain abscess requires a combination of antimicrobials and surgical intervention for the infected foci, nonsurgical, empirical treatment is possible and efficient in selected groups of patients. A total of 31 patients were enrolled in this 22-year retrospective study. We describe our therapeutic experiences and attempt to analyze the risk factors that were predictive of therapeutic outcomes.

Evaluation of root and canal systems of mandibular first molars in Taiwanese individuals using cone-beam computed tomography.

Background/purpose: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can provide valuable data for root canal systems of human teeth. This study used CBCT to evaluate the number of roots and canals in mandibular first molars in Taiwanese individuals.

Methods: We screened 151 patients (76 male and 75 female) scheduled for CBCT scan prior to implantation, or orthodontic, endodontic, or periodontic treatment between June 2006 and March 2009 at the Department of Dentistry, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Habitat evaluation using suitability index and habitat type diversity: a case study involving a shallow forest stream in central Taiwan.

In recent years, the Taiwanese government has strongly promoted the concept of ecological engineering in the hope that doing so will encourage the maintenance of the ecosystem and its integrity. As a result, the riprap spur dike is one of the most commonly used measures for protecting stream banks. Traditionally, a spur dike is used at concave banks to prevent their scouring and/or to increase their stabilization.

Retrospectively comparative evaluation of the first- and second-line chemotherapy with campto and oxaliplatin combined with oral tegafur/uracil (UFT)/leucovorin (LV) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Oral tegafur/uracil (UFT), like an intravenous drip with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV), has been regarded as an active regimen in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. In this clinical trial, we evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of regimens containing oral UFT/LV, instead of an intravenous drip with 5-FU/LV, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. A phase II study involving 39 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) who received UFT/LV plus irinotecan (Group A)/oxaliplatin (Group B) alternated with UFT/LV plus oxaliplatin (Group A)/irinotecan (Group B) was evaluated.

Relations of insulin resistance and glycemic abnormalities to cardiovascular magnetic resonance measures of cardiac structure and function: the Framingham Heart Study.

Background: Data regarding the relationships of diabetes, insulin resistance, and subclinical hyperinsulinemia/hyperglycemia with cardiac structure and function are conflicting. We sought to apply volumetric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a free-living cohort to potentially clarify these associations.

Methods And Results: A total of 1603 Framingham Heart Study Offspring participants (age, 64+/-9 years; 55% women) underwent CMR to determine left ventricular mass (LVM), LVM to end-diastolic volume ratio (LVM/LVEDV), relative wall thickness (RWT), ejection fraction, cardiac output, and left atrial size.

Flexible thick-film glucose biosensor: influence of mechanical bending on the performance.

The influence of the bending-induced mechanical stress of flexible Nafion/GOx/carbon screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) upon the performance of such glucose biosensors has been examined. Surprisingly, such flexible enzyme/polymer-SPEs operate well following a severe bending-induced mechanical stress (including a 180 degrees pinch), and actually display a substantial sensitivity enhancement following their mechanical bending. The bending-induced sensitivity enhancement is observed only for the amperometric detection of the glucose substrate but not for measurements of hydrogen peroxide, catechol or ferrocyanide at coated or bare SPEs.

Thermally Stable Improved First-Generation Glucose Biosensors based on Nafion/Glucose-Oxidase Modified Heated Electrodes.

We illustrate how the use of heated electrodes enhances the performance of glucose biosensors based on amperometric detection of the glucose-oxidase generated hydrogen peroxide. Nafion is shown to be an excellent matrix to protect glucose oxidase from thermal inactivation during the heating pulses. The influence of the electrode temperature upon the amperometric response is examined.

Non-contrast-enhanced pulmonary vein MRI with a spatially selective slab inversion preparation sequence.

We propose a non-contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional, free-breathing, electrocardiogram-gated, gradient recalled echo sequence with a slab-selective inversion for pulmonary vein (PV) MRI. A sagittal inversion slab was applied prior to data acquisition to suppress structures adjacent to the left atrium (LA) and PVs, thereby improving the conspicuity of the PV and LA. Compared with other MR angiography methods using an inversion pulse, the proposed method does not require signal subtraction and the inversion slab is not parallel to the imaging slab.

Patient geometry-driven information retrieval for IMRT treatment plan quality control.

Purpose: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plan quality depends on the planner's level of experience and the amount of time the planner invests in developing the plan. Planners often unwittingly accept plans when further sparing of the organs at risk (OARs) is possible. The authors propose a method of IMRT treatment plan quality control that helps planners to evaluate the doses of the OARs upon completion of a new plan.

Coronary MR imaging: effect of timing and dose of isosorbide dinitrate administration.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) administration on coronary magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the HIPAA-compliant protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Coronary MR imaging was performed at 1.

Characterization of site-specific mutants of alkylhydroperoxide reductase with dual functionality from Helicobacter pylori.

Alkylhydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) is an abundant and important antioxidant protein present in Helicobacter pylori (HP), a spiral Gram-negative microaerophilic bacterium. By sequence alignment and structure comparison, HP-AhpC was found to be more homologous to human peroxiredoxins (hPrx) than to other eubacterial AhpC proteins. Similar to hPrxI, native HP-AhpC existed as a dimer of single subunit, comprising alpha-helix and beta-sheet domains with low surface hydrophobicity.

The lifespan-promoting effect of acetic acid and Reishi polysaccharide.

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, various natural substances and commercial health-food supplements were screened to evaluate their effects on longevity. Among the substances tested, acetic acid and Reishi polysaccharide fraction 3 (RF3) were shown to increase the expression of the lifespan and longevity-related transcription factor DAF-16 in C. elegans.

Second primary lung carcinoma in patients with first primary breast carcinoma: two case reports and review of the literature.

Introduction: Patients undergoing complete treatments of breast carcinoma can be found with pulmonary nodules during the follow up period. Either metastasis from breast carcinoma or second primary bronchogenic carcinoma should be considered as a possible diagnosis.

Case Presentations: Two female patients with ages of 66 and 64, underwent modified radical mastectomy for breast carcinoma 5 and 2 years ago, were found with single pulmonary nodule, 1.