Molten-State Dielectrophoretic Alignment of EVA/BaTiO Thermoplastic Composites: Enhancement of Piezo-Smart Sensor for Medical Application.

Dielectrophoresis has recently been used for developing high performance elastomer-based structured piezoelectric composites. However, no study has yet focused on the development of aligned thermoplastic-based piezocomposites. In this work, highly anisotropic thermoplastic composites, with high piezoelectric sensitivity, are created.

Dielectrophoresis Structurization of PZT/PDMS Micro-Composite for Elastronic Function: Towards Dielectric and Piezoelectric Enhancement.

Piezoelectric materials have been used for decades in the field of sensors as transducers and energy harvesters. Among these, piezoelectric composites are emerging being extremely advantageous in terms of production, costs, and versatility. However, the piezoelectric performances of a composite with randomly dispersed filler are not comparable with bulk ferroelectric ceramics and electroactive polymers.

Automatic ultrasound technique to measure angle of progression during labor.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of an automatic ultrasound technique for assessment of the angle of progression (AoP) during labor.

Methods: Thirty-nine pregnant women in the second stage of labor, with fetus in cephalic presentation, underwent conventional labor management with additional translabial sonographic examination. AoP was measured in a total of 95 acquisition sessions, both automatically by an innovative algorithm and manually by an experienced sonographer, who was blinded to the algorithm outcome.

Rationale and design for the Vaginal Erbium Laser Academy Study (VELAS): an international multicenter observational study on genitourinary syndrome of menopause and stress urinary incontinence.

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are common clinical challenges for women's health and quality of life. The laser treatment and particularly the vaginal erbium laser (VEL) may provide a new non-invasive treatment for both GSM and SUI. However, the estimation of the ultimate results of different laser treatments may be altered by different issues, such as patient selection, concomitant treatments, and long-term effect of vaginal laser thermotherapy.

Impact of Italian legislation regulating assisted reproduction techniques on ICSI outcomes in severe male factor infertility: a multicentric survey.

Background: In 2004, a law regulating assisted reproduction techniques (ART) was passed in Italy. The new rules allow for the formation and transfer of a maximum of three embryos at one time, whereas embryo selection and embryo storage are prohibited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of these restrictions on ICSI outcome in couples affected by severe male factor infertility.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptor in ovarian pathology.

Objective: The soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, s-VEGFR-1, may negatively regulate the action of VEGF. Our purpose was to better understand the regulation of angiogenetic processes in ovarian cysts.

Methods: Seventy-three women, 36 with serous cystoadenoma, 30 with ovarian endometriosis and seven with cystoadenocarcinoma, were enrolled.

Vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in serum and follicular fluid of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Background: The pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is not completely understood.

Objective: To investigate the presence of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-2, in serum and follicular fluid, in patients developing severe OHSS.

Study Design: We enrolled 101 women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Expression and prognostic significance of urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

Proteolytic enzymes, like urokinase (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), are involved in remodelling tissues during invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the expression and the prognostic significance of these enzymes in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. We used immunohistochemical staining to localize uPA and PAI-1 antigens and evaluate their expression, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure their levels during the progression of endometrial carcinoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian cystic pathology.

Objective: To determine the levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL-8) in ovarian cysts.

Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Setting: University hospital.

Ovarian follicular fluid contains immunoreactive estriol: lack of correlation with estradiol concentrations.

Estradiol and estrone concentrations in ovarian follicular fluid change according to the ovulatory cycle, but no studies on the possible presence and/or changes of estriol are available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether estriol is measurable in follicular fluid and how its concentration changes according to the volume of ovarian follicles and to the maturational stage of oocytes. A group of women (n = 39) undergoing a program of induction of ovulation was included in this study and divided into three groups according to the causes of infertility: those with unexplained infertility (n = 11); those with endocrine disturbances (n = 5); and normal ovulatory women (n = 23) (controls).

High concentrations of the vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian endometriomata.

Patients with endometriosis are characterized by the ability of the endometrium to implant and by the peritoneal response to the tissue; angiogenic factors may play a significant role in the aetiology of endometriosis supporting the implantation of ectopic endometrial cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen, morphogen and chemoactractant for endothelial cells and, in vivo, it is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemoatractant for neutrophils and is a potent angiogenic factor.

The effect of intraventricularly administered GnRH on plasma beta-endorphin levels of the rat.

This study investigates the effects of intraventricularly administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on plasma beta-endorphin levels in female proestrous rats. Adult female Wistar rats (220-250 g) were implanted with an indwelling cannula in the third ventricle. Approximately 20 days later, the animals which had established a regular 4-day cycle were implanted with two indwelling catheters, one intracarotid and one intrajugular, on the morning of proestrus.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels before starting gonadotropin treatment in women who have developed moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

The study aims to evaluate whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, before treatment with gonadotropins, may be considered a predictive marker of moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). At the University of Pisa hospital infertility unit we have retrospectively selected 10 patients who developed moderate forms of OHSS and 30 control patients who presented a normal response to ovarian stimulation among 400 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Serum samples were collected before starting pFSH administration (150-300 IU/day).

Correlation between the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone administered and plasma and follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability and it is strongly implicated in angiogenesis, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation as well as capillary permeability. We studied 30 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs and evaluated, on the day of oocyte retrieval, VEGF levels in plasma and follicular fluid and related such concentrations to the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administered. Furthermore, the correlation between the number of oocytes retrieved and the VEGF concentrations both in plasma and in follicular fluid were also investigated.

Relationship between theoretical molecular weight and blister fluid/serum ratio of cytokines and five other molecules evaluated in patients with bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) blisters contain several molecules, some of which spread into the blisters from the interstitial fluid, while others are produced locally and migrate into the circulation. The calculation of the ratios between blister/serum concentrations may help to distinguish between these two types of molecules. The rules regulating the diffusion of the molecules have been described only in suction blisters, where the theoretical molecular weight (MW) represents one of the principal influencing factors.

Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization program.

Objective: To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth factor as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University hospital infertility unit.

Semen preparation by standard swim-up versus swim-up with test yolk buffer incubation in intrauterine insemination: a randomized study.

In order to compare the standard swim-up semen preparation with and without test yolk buffer (TYB) incubation in intrauterine insemination (IUI), we conducted a prospective multicentre randomized trial. A total of 121 infertile couples with male factor (n = 52) or unexplained infertility (n = 69) was randomly assigned to two groups following ovulation induction. Semen was prepared by standard swim-up in group A (n = 64) and by swim-up followed by TYB incubation in group B (n = 57).

Activin A and inhibin B in extra-embryonic coelomic and amniotic fluids, and maternal serum in early pregnancy.

Activin A and inhibin B levels were measured, using a two-site enzyme immunoassay, in extra-embryonic coelomic fluid, amniotic fluid and maternal serum samples retrieved from 23 healthy pregnant women, at 8 (n=8), 9 (n=8), and 10 (n=7) weeks of gestation. Dimeric activin A and inhibin B were measurable in all samples. Median (+/-SEM) activin A concentrations in coelomic fluid (0.

Fertility drugs and ovarian cancer.

Recent case reports of ovarian cancer associated with infertility treatment raise the question of a possible etiopathogenetic role of fertility drugs in ovarian cancer. In this paper, the possible relationship between infertility treatment and ovarian cancer is reviewed with respect to the epidemiological and pathogenetic profiles of ovarian cancer and the potential risk factors associated with fertility drugs; a case report review and a critical reappraisal are also provided within this article. Currently available data in the literature, from epidemiological studies and case reports, suggest that a direct causal effect of infertility treatment on ovarian cancer seems unlikely.