Pickering stabilization mechanism revealed through direct imaging of particles with tuneable contact angle in a phase-separated binary solvent.

Pickering emulsions have attracted increasing attention from multiple fields, including food, cosmetics, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and agriculture. Their stability relies on the presence of colloidal particles instead of surfactant at the droplet interface, providing steric stabilization. Here, we demonstrate the microscopic attachment and detachment of particles with tunable contact angle at the interface underlying the Pickering emulsion stability.

One-Step Generation of O/W/O Double Pickering Emulsions Utilizing Biocompatible Gliadin/Ethyl Cellulose Complex Particles as the Exclusive Stabilizer.

Double emulsions hold great potential for various applications due to their compartmentalized internal structures. However, achieving their long-term physical stability remains a challenging task. Here, we present a simple one-step method for producing stable oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) double emulsions using biocompatible gliadin/ethyl cellulose complex particles as the sole stabilizer.

Hofmeister Effect-Assistant Fabrication of All-Natural Protein-based Porous Materials Templated from Pickering Emulsions.

Porous materials derived from natural and biodegradable polymers have received growing interest. We demonstrate here an attractive method for the preparation of protein-based porous materials using emulsions stabilized by gliadin-chitosan hybrid particles (GCHPs) as the template, with the addition of gelatin and kosmotropic ions to improve the mechanical strength. The microstructure, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and fluid absorption behavior of porous materials were systematically investigated.

Fabrication and Characterization of Novel Water-Insoluble Protein Porous Materials Derived from Pickering High Internal-Phase Emulsions Stabilized by Gliadin-Chitosan-Complex Particles.

Pickering high internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) and porous materials derived from the Pickering HIPEs have received increased attention in various research fields. Nevertheless, nondegradable inorganic and synthetic stabilizers present toxicity risks, thus greatly limiting their wider applications. In this work, we successfully developed nontoxic porous materials through the Pickering HIPE-templating process without chemical reactions.

Fabrication of Zein/Pectin Hybrid Particle-Stabilized Pickering High Internal Phase Emulsions with Robust and Ordered Interface Architecture.

Diets containing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) expose the human body to trans fatty acids, thus endangering cardiovascular health. Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) is a promising alternative of PHOs. This work attempted to construct stable Pickering HIPEs by engineering interface architecture through manipulating the interfacial, self-assembly, and packing behavior of zein particles using the interaction between protein and pectin.

Development of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Gliadin/Proanthocyanidins Hybrid Particles (GPHPs) and the Fate of Lipid Oxidation and Digestion.

This work attempted to engineer emulsions' interface using the special affinity between proline-rich gliadin and proanthocyanidins (PA), to develop surfactant-free antioxidant Pickering emulsions with digestive-resistant properties. This binding interaction between gliadin and PA benefited the interfacial adsorption of the particles to corn oil droplets. Pickering droplets as building units assembled into an interconnected three-dimensional network structure, giving the emulsions viscoelasticity and ultrastability.

[Outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with infertility.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed from 52 patients with PCOS (PCOS group) and 408 cases with tubal infertility (control group). Both groups underwent IVF-ET treatment from 2001 to 2004.

Prolonged gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy reduced expression of nitric oxide synthase in the endometrium of women with endometriosis and infertility.

Objective: To determine whether endometrial expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or inducible NOS (iNOS) protein in women with endometriosis-associated infertility is different from that in the fertile controls, whether GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) regulates the endometrial expression of NOS in women with endometriosis-associated infertility, and whether there is a correlation between serum E2 or P levels, and the endometrial expression of eNOS or iNOS.

Design: Prospective controlled study.

Setting: University hospital for reproductive medicine and gynecologic endocrinology.

[Influences of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment on nitric oxide synthase expression in women with endometriosis and infertility].

Objective: To explore the expression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and iNOS) in the eutopic endometria of patients with endometriosis and infertility, and to detect the effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) therapy on their expressions.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblot assay were used to screen eNOS and iNOS expression in endometria of patients with stage III to IV endometriosis and infertility without (30 cases, endometriosis group) and with GnRH-a treatment (18 cases, treatment group), and of 19 patients with carcinoma in situ of the cervix (control group). Using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, serum estradiol (E(2)) or progesterone (P) concentrations were assayed.

[Relationship between imbalanced synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin alpha and beta subunits and pregnancy-induced hypertension].

Objective: To study the relationship between imbalanced synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alpha and beta subunits and the pathology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods: Total hCG, free alphahCG and betahCG were measured in serum samples collected from 60 cases of PIH and 30 normal gravid women by radioimmunoassay. The ratio of total hCG/betahCG, betahCG/FalphahCG, (FalphahCG+betahCG)/betahCG were calculated.

[Effect of yangjing zhongyu decoction on matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in endometrium and sex hormone regulation in women with cryptogenic infertility].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu decoction (YZD) on metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) expression and sex hormone regulation in mid-luteal phase endometrium of women with cryptogenic infertility.

Methods: In situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA, and radioimmunoassay was used to determine levels of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) synchronously, of 22 infertile women during mid-luteal phase.

Results: After treatment, the mid-luteal serum E2 and P level was 451.

[Insulin-like growth factor II and its receptor gene expression in the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility].

Objective: To investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and its type I receptor (IGF-IR) and type II receptor (IGF-IIR) in the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility and their relation to steroid levels.

Methods: In situ hybridization method was utilized to detect the location of IGF-II, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR mRNA. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was employed to detect quantitatively IGF-II, IGF-IR, and IGF-IIR mRNA expression levels in the endometrium during mid-luteal phase.

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 mRNA in the endometrium during mid- luteal phase in women with unexplained infertility].

Objective: To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA in the endometrium during mid-luteal phase in women with unexplained infertility and its steroidal regulation.

Methods: In situ hybridization method was utilized to detect the location of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was utilized to detect and quantitate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression levels in the endometrium during mid-luteal phase.

[Multifetal pregnancy reduction of triplets to twins: a prospective comparison of pregnancy outcome].

Objective: To investigate the outcome of triplet pregnancy and the necessity and benefit of multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR).

Methods: Sixty cases of triplet pregnancy were collected. In 15 cases that did not choose MFPR, the triplets were spontaneously obtained.

[Free alpha hCG--a serum marker for pregnancy-induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the free alpha subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (FalphahCG) as a marker for pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: The study group consisted of 74 pregnant women with hypertension. PIH admitted at 21-43 weeks of gestation.

[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist stimulation test in anovulatory women].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of ovarian response to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-alpha) stimulation test (GAST) in anovulatory women during ovulation induction treatment. METHODS: Thirty-five patients entered and completed the study. Following administration of GnRH-alpha during the early follicular phase, the relationship between estradiol (E(2)) response, ovarian response and subsequent pregnancy was investigated.

[Endometrial insulin-like growth factor II and type I receptor in unexplained infertility and its steroid regulation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the endometrial expression of insulin-like growth factor II(IGF-II) and type I receptor(IGF-1R) in unexplained infertility. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect and quantify endometrial IGF-II and IGF-I R mRNA experession in the mid-luteal phase. Serum concentrations of estradiol(E(2)) and progesterone (P) were measured by radioimmunoassays.

[The effect of the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 protein on the window phase of endometrial implantation in unexplained infertillie women].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ( TIMP-1) protein on embryo implantation in unexplained infertile women. METHODS: Forty three women were divided into two groups: 29 unexplained infertile (study group) and 14 women with normal fertile function (control group).Immunohistochemical analysis was applied to measure the cell expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the endometrial implantation window phase of the two groups.

[Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: two successful cases].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a technology of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. METHODS: Intracytoplasm sperm injection and blastomere biopsy were performed on two women at the advanced age with the fallopian tube obstruction. Normal embryos were selected for embryo transfer after fluorescence in-situ hybridziation in biopsied blastomere.

[Effect of yangjing zhongyu decoction on expression of insulin-like growth factor II and its receptor in endometrium of women with unexplained infertility].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YJZYD) on expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and its receptor II (IGF-II R) in endometrium of women with unexplained infertility, and the relationship of which with the receptibility of endometrium to ovum implantation.

Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect quantitatively the expression of IGF-II and IGF-II R in 22 women with unexplained infertility before and after YJZYD treatment during mid-luteal phase.

Results: The levels of IGF-II and IGF-II R before treatment were 0.

Long dwell-time exposure of human chorionic villi to transvaginal ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy induces activation of caspase-3 and cytochrome C release.

Bioeffects after exposure to ultrasound are correlated to its duration. Although diagnostic ultrasound has been suggested to induce apoptosis, the underlying signal transduction pathway remains elusive. In this study, women in the first trimester of pregnancy were exposed to transvaginal diagnostic ultrasound with 5.